BELL, CA — Lines of boxing fans wrapped around the corner to enter the Spring Amateur Boxing Charity Fundraiser at Azteca Boxing Club in Bell, CA this weekend. Photos by Tracie Martinez. 

The community event was hosted by Azteca Boxing Club to introduce Beyond the Ring, a community-based 501c3. Beyond the Ring is an after school program aimed at empowering youth with the tools to succeed through health, wellness, and academic enrichment.

Leo Santa Cruz

Youth and family in attendance were excited to have World Champion, Leo "El Famoso Terremoto" Santa Cruz arrive as the special guest. The boxing star drew a crowd of fans who waited for a turn to get a signature and picture with the champ.

Leo Santa Cruz

“This keeps kids away from the streets. Away from all the gangs, violence, and drugs. When they don’t have anything to do, that’s when they start hanging with the wrong crowd and doing bad things. An after school program like this helps kids stay away from all those things and also helps them be athletic and healthy.

Leo Santa Cruz

A lot of people I grew up with are now in prison or got into gangs and drugs. It would have been really helpful if we had this, they would have loved it. But thank God it’s now happening and the kids growing up right now are going to have all of those things.”  - Leo Santa Cruz

Leo Santa Cruz

The show hosted a total of 26 exciting amateur bouts, with over 100 youth weighing in that morning for an opportunity to showcase their skills in the ring. Proceeds from the event will go to providing youth with the best after school program experience so they can succeed beyond the ring.