LA Fight Club: “Club Soda“

Club Soda is something that people tend to go to when they just aren’t satisfied with consuming water and need a little variety in their lives….

Boxing club shows are exactly that…. they offer something a little different than the nationally televised events while still quenching the thirst of many boxing fans. 

Boxing fans are truly missing out if you’ve never made an appearance at a club show.

These are smaller shows which allow fighters (male and female), to gain some professional experience in the ring while building their fan base and record from the ground up.  Not all boxers get to go to the Olympics or have an investor backing them, which allows massive exposure. Some of these fighters have natural abilities and require some grooming while building their profile, and this is where the club shows come into play. 

This is nothing new as there are club shows that go on all over the U.S.  However, some in the major markets (like New York and California) receive more media with less televised coverage. The more notable ones are put on by Golden Boy Promotions (L.A Fight Club), Dibella Entertainment (Broadway Boxing), Thompson Boxing Promotions (New Blood) and more recently, 360 Promotions (Hollywood Fight Nights).

At these shows, you see the hardcore boxing fans supporting the up and coming fighters while other fighters bring, in some cases, their whole neighborhood to support them at the fights with either their merchandise or something they created themselves. The energy is really organic and it makes for an exciting night of boxing. Now that you have an idea of what these club shows are all about, let’s get into the Friday night main event at the Belasco Theater in downtown L.A that was brought to you by Golden Boy Promotions.

Javier Molina vs. Jesse Roman

This main event lived up to the hype that was given off all week by Golden Boy Promotions. There was a potential future promotional contract at stake and both men fought like it. Javier Molina started out looking like the veteran with more fights under his belt. He displayed a good jab and was very fluid with his technique. Jesse Roman, on the other hand, was a bit nervous and took a few rounds to warm up to the stage and the fight. Molina was winning the battle early but it looked as though Roman was winning the war as his body shots started to take effect late. Molina at the end won the majority of the early rounds to take the victory by UD.

Honorable Mention:  Joshua Franco

With the bantamweight  division being red hot these days, specifically at 118 lbs, this native of San Antonio, Texas showed everyone that he is someone to watch in the future. Led by the watchful eyes of Robert Garcia, Franco executed the game plan perfectly and looks like a fighter that will give guys trouble as he progresses through his career. He has an exciting style and his next fight will be one to watch.

Club soda isn’t for everyone, just like boxing club shows aren’t always embraced but they definitely have a place in the boxing game. The next time you find yourself in places like New York or Los Angeles, attend a boxing club show.  You won’t be disappointed as the ticket prices are far more reasonable than at a large scale boxing event.