Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley was founded in 2003 with the mission to “fight for our future one kid at a time.” Some time after the organization formed, Executive Director Edwin Weaver invited Carlos Ruiz to meet, seeking his advice on how to empower local youth to resist street gangs and other criminal activity.
Ruiz remembered his time fighting on the streets at a young age, but also recalled the positive outlet he received after meeting Willie Flores, who introduced Ruiz to boxing. This mentorship and athleticism unlocked a world of opportunity, Ruiz told the Sun, one that he shares today with local youth at the Central Coast Boxing Club.
“I want to give these kids the same opportunity that Flores gave me,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz created the Central Coast Boxing Club with a team of four coaches, including head coach Ernie Romero and assistant coaches Jesus Diaz, Manuel Romero, and Rufino Serrano. The most important aspect of the team is not just the training, Ruiz explained, but the community and parent support the youth there receive. Ruiz used to be a coach but became the spokesman for the club and its message.
The Central Coast Boxing Club’s mission is to help keep local youth off the streets, Ruiz said, by creating skilled amateur and professional fighters through a youth training program that fosters mentorship and positive relationships. The club also holds regular tournaments and fundraiser fights, like Fighting Back II, which happened in November of last year. The next event is scheduled for May.
The club now has more than 50 kids participating. The coaches teach the importance of discipline, responsibility, and hard work, Ruiz explained.
“Boxing allows them to release the anger,” he said. “They want to achieve. They want to be part of a team and be part of something positive.”
Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley refers many of the kids in the club, Ruiz explained, and others hear about the program by word of mouth. Many young boys see their friend or friends changing, and they want to change too, he said.
Daniel Borunda was looking for a change in his life. Since he started training at the club, Borunda has lost 45 pounds and is earning straight A’s at school. Now he’s getting ready, training for the May tournament.
Another member, 9-year-old Aaron Vargas, wasn’t referred to the program—his parents signed him up at the age of 4. Vargas has six brothers, and his parents felt he needed some guidance and discipline, Ruiz said. Vargas has already earned two championship belts, Ruiz added.
Danny Reyes joined the Central Coast Boxing Club when he was 14. Now 19 years old, Reyes has trained for years there, and a big payoff came at the fight in November of last year when he won his first title.
Some of the club members are transplants, like 14-year-old Maliah Paculan, who moved to the area from Westminster, Colo. She was involved in boxing back in Westminster too, she told the Sun, and found a natural fit at the Central Coast Boxing Club. The mentorship there has her on a strong and steady path, she explained.
“I have father figures that are leading and coaching me to the Olympics in 2020,” said Paculan.
The Central Coast Boxing Club brought home seven of the nine belts up for grabs at the Fighting Back II event in November.
The first fight this year is May 27, and a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to city programs designed for gang intervention and prevention, Ruiz explained. Ruiz hopes to support programs that will aid Recreation and Parks Department outreach coordinator Eddie Galarza, who focuses on programs for at-risk youth.
Ruiz will also hold a toy drive for a hospital in Orange County, he explained, the same facility where his daughter received treatment for a brain tumor. The hospital gives toys to patients and relies on donations, which Ruiz said makes a big difference for the kids there.
The Central Coast Boxing Club enjoys a family atmosphere, Ruiz said, where everyone shakes hands when greeting or parting. He said he keeps the club and gym filled with nothing but positivity, respect, and friendly competition.
The door there is open to everyone, he said.
“The city of Santa Maria is becoming great again with programs that are helping local youth take back our streets,” Ruiz said, “giving our youth the tools that it takes to succeed.”
Contributor Chelsey Michaelis believes in second chances. Contact her through Managing Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Feb 2-9, 2017.