The sport of boxing saved DG Boxing owner David Gonzales, who understands the dangers of the sport but admitted life on the streets usually provides greater dangers than those encountered inside the ring.
“When I was a kid they called me ‘monster’ because I liked to fight,” said Gonzales, who works with Garden Grove and Westminster fighters. “I did fight. I am lucky, lucky because boxing gave me a safe environment to do that and stay out of trouble.”
The sport of boxing saved DG Boxing owner David Gonzales, who understands the dangers of the sport but admitted life on the streets usually provides greater dangers than those encountered inside the ring.
“When I was a kid they called me ‘monster’ because I liked to fight,” said Gonzales, who works with Garden Grove and Westminster fighters. “I did fight. I am lucky, lucky because boxing gave me a safe environment to do that and stay out of trouble.”
Gonzales opened DG Boxing in the year 2000 to provide local youth with the same alternative that kept him out of trouble. In fact, he wants to offer local fighters a chance to embark on a journey, one that might end with a DG fighter winning the 2014 Golden Gloves title while fighting at the 141-pound and under division.
Gonzales is documenting the experience in a documentary called “Journey to the Golden Gloves,” which will feature him training 15 fighters for free for 15 months in honor of the gym’s 15th anniversary.
He will then select two fighters from to represent DG Boxing and make a run at the Golden Gloves.
All fighters must be 18 and qualify for the 141-pound and under division. Those who survive training will be given an opportunity to prove themselves at local events, primarily in Orange County, which will unfold later this year.
“It’s not going to be easy for these guys,” Gonzales said. “It’s going to be tough, physically and mentally.”
Gonzales will then examine each fighter’s record, which will determine both his selections. He originally wanted to field the 15-man team by no later than Jan. 31 but opted to extend the deadline to March.
As of now, 10 fighters are training with the team, which means five spots, and possibly more if someone quits, will be open for the next couple of weeks. Gonzales welcomes all comers from surrounding cities — DG Boxing is in Long Beach — to try out.
“Most people are locals, and most live all over Long Beach, but we get people who come to the gym just to work out, and they are all over Southern California,” said Gonzales, who mentioned Seal Beach as an untouched resource and the potential home of the next fighter to try out.
“We get a lot from life out in San Pedro, some from Anaheim, and we’ve had fighters from, yes, I think Paramount. I know Garden Grove and Westminster are two places, for sure.”
The 15-man team trains in the morning with Gonzales from 10 a.m. to noon. The fighters rotate from station to station, which varies from jumping rope to sparing and punching speed bags. Each fighter stays at these stations for five-minute intervals, which end with the ring’s buzzer sounding off.
“I am looking for heart, someone who enjoys life and can give 100 percent,” Gonzales said. “If you think you can do it, get off the couch and do it.”
Gonzales grew up in Barstow. In 1989, he moved to Long Beach, where he lives today.
DG Boxing is in a strip mall next to the 49er Tavern and a smoke shop in the Alamitos Heights area of Long Beach. Gonzales used to run the DG Boxing in Westminster, but closed that location three years ago to free his schedule in response to the passing of his father. He
still maintains the DG Boxing location on Pine Street in downtown Long Beach.
DG Boxing opens every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and never closes for holidays.
“I am open for Christmas,” Gonzales said. “It’s a gym and should stay open so people can come on the days they paid to come.”
Gonzales welcomes new members of all skill levels and even has multiple women who train at the gym.
In regards to his search for a Golden Glove champ, Gonzales conceived the idea years ago, but only recently put the plan into action and he still intends to fill all 15 openings, no exceptions.
“I have waited a while to do this thing,” the owner said. “I really need way more fighters and will wait for the 15.”
The fighters will engage in 100 matches before Gonzales examines their records. He will also slim the team to just eight boxers before making final cuts this summer.
The fighters will also battle locals from nearby gyms, competing at USA Boxing sanctioned events at places like Grampa’s Gym (Westminster) and GG Boxing (Garden Grove).
The DG team features local talent from Long Beach, Garden Grove, Westminster, Anaheim, Buena Park and San Pedro.
As of Jan. 24, the DG team consisted of the following fighters: Isaias Colin, Emanuel Trujillo, David Cruz, Christian Lopez, Mario Salazar, Dion Matson, Jarret Jeter, Carlos Carosswell, Danny Molina and Alonso Iceda. Though the fighters train together as a team, they are not really teammates, considering each plan to win one of the two final spots.
“Yeah, and the next day that guy might be gone and off the team,” Gonzales said. “They can’t really afford to be best friends.”
Gonzales then turned and looked at Jeter, one of his fighters who stayed late after the morning training session.
“Friends?” he asked.
Jeter offered no reply. He just shook his head, looking more serious than ever. Despite the serious tone, all of the fighters seemed to enjoy themselves during the workout.
“Yeah, it has been fun,” Colin said before adding. “Just make sure you spell my name right, OK?”
DG Boxing is at 5660 E. PCH in Long Beach.
