4th Annual John Bray Free Youth Boxing Clinic

John Bray Boxing Foundation Teams Up with House of Boxing Training Center  Press Release For Immediate Release San Diego, California (September 19, 2013) - The John Bray Boxing Foundation is holding the 4th Annual John Bray Free Youth Boxing Clinic in an effort to continue to help the community in preventing and combating gang violence while promoting discipline and academic success among school-age students.  After three successful events held in the San Fernando Valley and Central Valley of California, the John Bray Boxing Foundation has teamed up with the House of Boxing Training Center for an event in San Diego, California.      The House of Boxing Training  Center's Carlos Barragan Sr. and Jr. have continued to make major contributions and positive impacts within the South Bay communities of the city of San Diego for over 20 years.  Both organizations have arranged this free youth boxing clinic in an effort to raise awareness of issues that impact the youth of our community.    Children and teens face many temptations everyday; whether it is drugs, gangs or peer pressure.  The John Bray Boxing Foundation and House of Boxing Training Center want to provide these promising young men and women with an alternative where they can feel at home and escape the pressures they have to deal with daily.  Although it is considered a boxing clinic, these participants will also listen to inspirational speakers, and learn about nutrition, life skills and attitude development. We are proud to announce that Everlast Worldwide Inc. has agreed to provide and sponsor our events with the best boxing equipment available.  Students between the ages of 8 and 15 are welcome.     We have arranged special guest appearances by former World Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd, former World Junior Middleweight champion Paul Vaden, former World Champion's Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas, former Middleweight contender Alex "the Bronx Bomber" Ramos, Light welterweight prospect "The Relentless" Antonio Orozco, 2012 U.S. Super Heavyweight Olympian and current Heavyweight prospect Dominic "Trouble" Breazeale, 2013 USA Boxing National Champion and Continental Champion Danyelle Wolf, veteran referee Jack Reiss, Carlos "the Cutman" Vargas and influential leaders from the community. The 4th Annual John Bray Free Youth Boxing Clinic is scheduled to take place onSaturday, October 12, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  Check-in is at 8:30 a.m.The event will take place at the House of Boxing Training Center located at 2304 Reo Drive, San Diego, California. If you are interested in sponsoring this great event or for additional information,  please contact Jerry Gonzalez at (559) 643-9313 or Carlos Barragan at (619) 399-5898.  All donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. For additional information regarding the John Bray Boxing Foundation and House of Boxing Training Center, please visit www.johnbrayboxingfoundation.org orwww.hobsd.com.

Rico Ramos Defeats Esquivias At The Inaugural "Live At The Lodge" Show

Photo Credit: Jan Sanders / Goossen Tutor Promotions    RAMOS SCORES WIN OVER ESQUIVIAS ON THE ROAD TO REGAIN WORLD TITLE VILLANUEVA DEFEATS ESCALANTE IN SUPER FLYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN Boxing fans showed up in full force to provide a sell-out crowd for the inaugural "Live at the Lodge"event at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, Calif.  The event, which showcased six exciting bouts was broadcast on TeleFutura's hit series "Solo Boxeo Tecate" and promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions.  Fans in attendance also witnessed promoter Dan Goossen honor two of his former World Champion fighters when he presented Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas with awards commemorating the brothers on their storybook careers and dedication to the Goossen family. Former WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion Rico Ramos scored a huge win over a very gritty Efrain Esquivias in tonights main event.  The two fighters, who had battled more than once during their amateur careers had the capacity crowd on their feet for all 8 rounds of their brawl. Having lost his world title and his undefeated record this past January, Ramos had all the motivation he needed to take home a majority decision (78-74, 78-74, 76-76).  Ramos improves to 21-1, 11 KOs as Esquivias suffers his first loss becoming 16-1, 9 KOs. "He was tough, I knew he was going to be tough," said Ramos. "He came forward at me a lot like I remember from fighting him in amateurs, but we prepared for that and we were ready for him. He went hard to the body, and so I came back with body shots of my own, and I was landing the cleaner shots. It feels great to be back in the win column.  I'll be coming back for my belt soon." The Telefutura broadcast opened up with a crowd-pleasing super flyweight attraction between Matthew Villanueva and Bruno Escalante.  The 115-pound sluggers exchanged several swings of momentum and huge shots throughout the 8-round fight.  Both fighters displayed incredible power shots as well as great body and head movement to avoid the oncoming shots. "That was the toughest fight I've ever had," said Villanueva of his opponent. "He came to win, and he was much stronger than I thought. The kid can take a punch, he was taking everything but the kitchen sink.  I really thought that the ref was going to come in and stop it on a few occasions when I was getting him against the ropes and just tagging him, but he stuck in there and made it exciting." John Molina Jr. (24-1, 19 KO's) outworked his opponent Miguel Angel Munguia for the duration of their 8-round attraction and walked away with a unanimous decision, scoring 80-69 on all three judges scorecards. The world-rated lightweight contender will be fighting Antonio Demarco for the WBC World Championship on September 8 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. beneath Andre Ward and Chad Dawson's World Championship fight. "It was a great fight," Said Molina.  "I got the rust off.  It was exactly what I needed to get ready for Demarco.  I hope they were watching, because I'm hungry and I'm coming for him." Fans also enjoyed a heavyweight collision between Philadelphia's undefeated Malik "King" Scott and Alvaro Morales.  Scott was the agressor for the entirety of the 6-round bout, and was awarded a unanimous decision victory shutting out his opponent 60-54 on all scorecards.  Scott improves his record to 34-0, with 11 KO victories.  In the first fight of the evening, Los Angeles based junior middleweight John Hays looked impressive in his pro debut, scoring a 4-round shutout over Santa Barbara's Raymundo Inda. After the Ramos bout, fans who wanted more action were treated to a walkout bout featuring 22-year-old Jessie Villanueva (the younger brother of Matthew), who spoiled the pro debut of Frank Liera of Los Angeles with a first round knockout. Villanueva improves his record to 3-0 with all wins coming by KO. Ramos-Esquivias Photos Villanueva-Escalante Photos Molina-Munguia Photos Malik Scott Photos

FORMER WORLD CHAMPION BOXERS GABRIEL AND RAFAEL RUELAS TO BE HONORED JUNE 23

Studio City, CA (June 11) Imagine coming to America at age seven, having never worn, let alone owned a pair of shoes in your life.  That is only one of many hardships overcome by brothers Rafael and Gabriel Ruelas on their way to simultaneously becoming World Champions and adored by their fans and the world of boxing.

Having worked the entirety of their young lives in Mexico instead of going to school, it seemed natural for the boys to sell candy door to door after school when they emigrated to Southern California.  Gabriel had stopped to make a sale at the "neighborhood" gym of boxing trainer Joe Goossen, and upon seeing the ring and bags, asked Goossen to teach him the sport.

"I was reluctant at first, because here you have a 13-year-old kid asking for help and I was training professionals so I tried to send him away," said Joe Goossen of young Gabriel.

Alonzo Strongbow, the #1 Flyweight in the World was there and persuaded Joe to give Gabriel a shot because he 'saw something in his eyes.'  

Gabriel asked several times if he could bring younger brother Rafael into the gym too.  Joe denied the request on multiple occasions until he realized that he needed someone to spar with Gabriel, so he conceded and the next day Rafael put down his box of candy and came in to the gym.  

"The very first day Rafael joined his brother, we put the gloves and headgear on him and threw him in the ring with Gabriel who gave his little brother a beating, until Rafael just used his natural ability and was able to slip away from several of the punches his brother was throwing," Joe Goossen reflects.  "I remember Frankie Duarte (top world contender) and I were watching this and nudging each other.  We both knew what incredible talent we had in our gym, and now we had two of them!

"At the time I may not have known it, but I've certainly come to realize that this was a very special, once in a lifetime relationship between a trainer and a fighter.  Then to have actually been successful with it, and turn these young kids into two World Champions was extraordinary and I'm quite proud of them.  It's a team effort on something like this and their dedication and desire to perfect what they were doing was unparalleled." 

Goossen Tutor Promotions is bringing a prominent reoccurring boxing series, titled "Live at the Lodge" back to the San Fernando Valley reflective of their "Country Club Series" in the 80s which enabled Gabriel and Rafael and many others to hone their skills in becoming World Champions.  The first of these shows will be held June 23 at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, Calif. and will be broadcast live on Telefutura's hit series "Solo Boxeo Tecate."

Dan and Joe Goossen will be honoring the "Candy Kids" at the inaugural event for their contribution to the sport of boxing and the incredibly inspiring success story of the two World Champion boxers, and their rise from selling candy upon their arrival in America to success in and out of the ring. 

"Little did I know twenty some odd years ago we would be honoring Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas for their achievements in the sport of boxing," Dan Goossen said fondly. "They were literally selling candy door-to-door in the neighborhood as 11 and 12 year-olds and stumbled across my brother's gym.  They told my brother Joe they wanted to become boxers and the next thing I know they each became  World Champions.  They have been the benchmark for hard-work, dedication, heart and loyalty for every fighter we've signed since.  Even today, I find that the Ruelas brothers are fondly remembered by boxing fans."

"It's a great honor to receive this recognition, especially in the valley where we grew up and had so many fights right here at the Reseda Country Club," said Rafael Ruelas.  "I try not to get too close to boxing and reflect back on my career too often because it brings back a lot of great memories.  I miss the sport tremendously and I'm just very grateful to be receiving an honor like this."

His brother Gabriel modestly stated, "It is very special to be receiving any kind of award in boxing, especially with so many World Champions who could be on the receiving end.  I think what we had was a special scenario that was so unique because the Goossen's really took us in.  I didn't look at them as a trainer and a promoter, they were family.  That kind of loyalty is hard to come by anywhere, let alone in boxing."

The event will be broadcast on TeleFutura's hit series "Solo Boxeo Tecate" and promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions. 

Tickets priced at $103.50 VIP, $52.50 Ringside & $32.50 are on sale at www.GoossenTutor.com/schedule or by calling the Goossen Tutor office at (818) 817-8001.  Tickets will also be available the day of the event at the Lodge.