The Club of Champions
The Waianae Boxing Club survives the loss of PAL funding and continues its proud heritage under Coach Fred Pereira of producing champions, including several youth world champs
Fred Pereira with grandchildren Tony and Jada and
their hardware
sional boxer Jeffrey Pelen, is one. The younger Jeffrey’s cousin, Enriquez “Ricky” Tangaro, is another.
In July, a decades-old tradition in local boxing ended. The Police Activities League ended its boxing program for lack of manpower and funds, Pereira says. But now four of the 10 Oahu clubs have gotten together to organize events on their own. On Veterans’Day weekend, they held 40 bouts over two days in Waimanalo.
Besides Waianae, the other clubs on Oahu are East Oahu (Waimanalo), Kakaako, Kalakaua, Kalihi, Kaneohe, Palolo, PearlSide (Pearl City), Wahiawa and Waipahu.
Waianae Boxing Club has 28 members from age 7 to 29. On a recent night, 18-year-old Hannah Smith was doing “mitt work” in a side ring, punching in sets of five quick hits. “See that girl?” Pereira asks. “That’s going to be my next champion. She already got three fights and is undefeated. She is tough.”
Pereira should know. At 71, he has seen many champs pass through his club. And he says he plans to continue coaching “as long as I can.” His mother passed away at 92, and Pereira plans to surpass her longevity. With one small wish. “I hope when I go it will be right at this corner talking to the boys,” he says, slapping the ring. “‘Cause I love what I’m doing.”
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