G Pepe and Pepe in pre-fight faceoff

Hello Friends,

On March 20, Garcia Boxing hosted its third annual “Celebrity Boxing for Charity” at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey benefiting the Kinship Center of Salinas.

A few months ago, famed boxing trainer Max Garcia asked if I would jump into the ring again and be one of the celebrity boxers at his fundraiser. My experience in last year’s match was memorable and I was honored to be asked fight again.

This year there was a catch though, as Max asked if I would box against my own son in a specially featured match. Gian (we call him G) was originally trained by Max and now is a freshman at Cal Berkeley and trains with the Cal Boxing Team.

G and I still work out together and spar from time-to-time, and this match will proved once and for all who is the boss!

The Kinship Center is a non-profit adoptive care agency that helps place abused or abandoned children into permanent families.  This year’s event was a hugh success, and we helped raise over $30,000 for the Kinship Center.

A highlight of the celebrity/boxer lineup will be former two-time world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe, Tommy Morrison, plus Eloy Perez (16-0), North American Champion and who is on tract to become a world champion himself.

In my fight with G, I tried my best but G was the clear winner.  I am proud of him and he has learned well the sport of boxing.  I plan to get a rematch next year, so G better keep training also.

Pepe and his son G, after the fight

Rich Pèpe