Philippines, 30 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


AFTER 62 YEARS, BOXING WILL BE BACK IN GLENDALE, CA


PhilBoxing.com



Harutyunyan.

Canoga Park, CA:- Back in 1947, the Glendale, California City Council, under pressure from its residents voted to ban boxing competition within the city limits. The sport was classified as ?unwholesome? back then. The ban stood until a persevering ex- fighter took it upon himself to repeal the existing city ordinance.

Glendale-based Kharen Harutyunyan, a former NABO super flyweight champion turned promoter spearheaded the movement that lobbied the Glendale City Council for the changes. Harutyunyan owns and operates the Art of Boxing Promotions in the city.

Last Tuesday, after several public hearings, four City Council members indicated that they will vote to overturn the 62 year old ban but sternly indicated that ?they will be watching the first fight - tentatively booked for June 12, 2009 - for any hint of negative impact to the city.?

?I am hoping it will be OK, but I will be watching like a hawk,? stated Councilman Bob Yousefian.

In spite of the hard work of Harutyunyan, a Council member indicated his opposition to lift the ban, saying that he is ?philosophically uncomfortable? with professional fights. But, he did not dispute the contention of the proponents that the ban has been short-changing the ability of local boxers to fight before their hometown crowd.

To allay the fears of the supporters to keep the ban, the City Council will undertake many precautions and reviewed a whole bunch of conditions to be included in the proposed contract to allow boxing again.

Foremost will be safety. The assure that, Harutyunyan?s promotion company will have to supply 8 door monitors, four private security guards and the cost of five Glendale Police Units, including a canine unit and a fire marshal.

The arena will be smoke-free and beer and liquor sales will end at 9:00 PM, one hour before the end of the last bout of the evening.

Traffic officials would also be provided to direct motorist leaving the event away from nearby residential streets and into major road arteries like the nearby Glendale Freeway.

Capacity for the whole event will be limited to 1100 fans.

Despite the precautions to assure a smooth event, there were still detractors who called boxing ?barbaric and nefarious.? One called it a ?huge step back in social advancement.?

But one Council member, Ara Najarian cited the violence in hockey and football as proof that ?sanctioned battering? has its place in sports.

?We are talking about two trained individuals and boxing is more controlled,? he said.

The fight-card slated on June 12 is already sanctioned by the California Athletic Commission which requires a host of on-site restrictions and testing, including background checks for boxers. Fighters must undergo CAT Scan prior to the event, and an on-site doctor with authority to shut down a fight will be on hand.

The ordinance to allow the fight will come back to the full City Council for a vote but it was clear after Tuesday?s hearing that Harutyunyan will have the votes to make the June 12th fight card happen. However, should the event go awry, the ban will be back in place. The proposed ordinamce also give the City Manager a very broad discretion in reviewing applications to hold matches in the City.

?I am impressed that Harutyunyan has jumped through considerable hoops to make this happen," Mayor John Drayman said.

Harutyunyan for his part stated:- ?It does put a little pressure, but it?s just another milestone in my promotional career.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Traya eyes KO win against Thai tomorrow
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Navarrete's Future in Question as He Resists Rematch with Charly Suarez
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Davao's Corteza beats Biado, Aranas enters round-of-32 in P2 Million Bata Reyes 10 Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Growth of Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Toshihiko Era Retains WBF Asia Strap in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Rising Cuban Prospects Ronny Alvarez and Pedro Veitia
    , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Vayson vies for WBA/WBO titles
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Mexican "The Rock" Zamora, three-time female world champion with 20 world championship fights, retires
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • “I’M ONLY GETTING BETTER”: CONFIDENT PAT McCORMACK PLOTS HUGE HOMECOMING WIN OVER MIGUEL PARRA TO SPARK WORLD TITLE CHARGE
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Heart of a Lion: 'Lucky Boy' Reymark Alicaba Earns Praise Despite Loss by Points in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Dante Kirkman Looks to be the First Fighter to Stop Dylan Carlson
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Shawn Darling Inducted into New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame
    , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Arca wins 13th Mindanao Open chessfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Carzano rules FIDE-Rated Open Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Pythons-Primo wins 5 golds, 3 silvers, 2 bronzes in Kadayawan judo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 28 Aug 2025
  • Crawford to Be Stripped of WBA Title Once He Climb the Ring to Fight Canelo
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • Sebastian Juarez Remains Undefeated with Captivating 4th Round TKO Over Louis Hernandez
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • Jajaira Gonzalez Prepared to Meet the Moment at 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • 2 Division & Former Unified World Champion Juan Francisco Estrada Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 27 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 AUGUST 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Magpily rules PH National Women's Elimination - Luzon Leg
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Carlos De Leon Shines with 2nd Round TKO, Remains Undefeated on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 14
    , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • GM Daniel Quizon Wins 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Touchmove Open Invitational Rapid Chess Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 Aug 2025
  • Good Luck, Lucky Boy Reymark Alicaba!
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.