Pro boxing returns to Ventura County with card at Oxnard Performing Arts Center
It has been a long time coming, but professional boxing will finally make its return to Ventura County.
A handful of pro fights, along with amateur boxing, will take place Friday night at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Boxnard Promotion, Inc., is promoting the card.
A car and cycle show along with a pre-fight party will take place before the card. The festivities begin at 4 p.m., with the fight card scheduled to start at 7.
Oxnard has a rich boxing history. From Robert Garcia and Fernando Vargas, both Channel Islands High School graduates, to Hueneme High School graduate and current junior welterweight Ricardo Quiroz, the city has produced several talented prizefighters.
In recent years, fighters from across the country and world have come to the area for sparring, working with area’s top trainers, and to get away from any distractions. Unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk, former WBC world light heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk, and former world welterweight title challenger Egidijus Kavaliaukas are just a few of the fighters who have trained in Ventura County.
Boxnard Promotion, Inc., hopes to promote more fight cards in Oxnard. Friday night’s card will serve as a test run.
“The card is going to be amazing with local amateurs and professional fighters, with a pre-party before the fights,” said Damien Smith, who is the co-founder and CEO of Boxnard Promotion. “We are taking the experience to show the city anything is possible and let’s start putting back into our home areas and creating avenues.
“Boxnard plans on bringing the best experience possible to our events from our boxing to MMA, and we will be bringing that tailgate experience to each of our events and doing our part to bring the city closer on all fronts and show the world it’s Boxnard.”
Co-founders with Smith are Kalvin Harrison and former Oxnard fighter David Rodela, who had a solid career and is also a Channel Islands High graduate.
For Oxnard resident and Rio Mesa High graduate Rudy Ochoa (10-2, 5 knockouts) was scheduled to fight Jenn Gonzalez in a six-round bout. Unfortunately, the California State Athletic Commission nixed the bout. No reason was given.
Junior lightweight Daniel Robles (8-3-1, 5 KOs) will face Juan Hernandez Martinez (2-2-2) of Gomez Palacio, Mexico, in a six-round bout.
Robles (8-3-1, 5 KOs), who lives in Oxnard, defeated Joshua Draughter by unanimous decision in his last bout on Jan. 13 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. The win snapped a three-fight losing streak. Robles is trained by Joseph “Hoss” Janik and managed by Chris Jay.
Angel Carrillo of Oxnard will make his pro debut against Santa Clarita’s Osmar Olmos Hernandez (1-2) in a four-round junior featherweight bout. Carrillo, who recently graduated from Hueneme High, is co-trained by Marcos Contreras and Federico Mendoza.
Cruiserweight Anthony Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) of Ventura will square off against Mardy Harris in a four-round bout. Harris, who lives in Victorville, will be making his pro debut.
Smith said food vendors will also be on site. Tickets range from $50 to $200 (VIP).
Muratalla returns
Gabriel Muratalla will face Edwin Rodriguez on Friday night at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. The 10-round bout will stream live on DAZN at 6 p.m.
Muratalla (9-0, 5 KOs), who lives in Fontana, is trained by Oxnard legend Robert Garcia in nearby Riverside. He is a teacher at Lions East Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
In his last bout on Jan. 28, Muratalla knocked out Michael Nielsen in the second round. The 29-year-old is the older brother of unbeaten lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla, who fights on Aug. 12 in Glendale, Arizona.
Despite being favored to win, Muratalla is not overlooking Rodriguez.
“Knowing my opponent is a tough veteran, I’ve gotten ready as if it were a 12-round fight,” Muratalla told The Star on Wednesday. “I know it’s going to be a hard fight, but my style will work its way and make it the fight I want it to be. I will come out victorious.”
Rodriguez (11-6-2, 5 KOs), who resides in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, lost to unbeaten Dylan Price in his last fight in July 2021.
Francisco A. Salazar covers boxing for The Star. He also covers boxing for Ring Magazine and Boxingscene. He can be reached on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Pro boxing returns to county with card at Oxnard Performing Arts Center
