WBC 140 LB CHAMPION TRINI OCHOA TO HOST BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT THIS SATURDAY AT CENTRAL BOXING GYM

Free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts and breakfast for kids. Event to raise money for restoration of the recently vandalized Central boxing Gym mural.

PHOENIX, AZ — July 24, 2025 — Local media and community members are invited to a powerful day of giving, unity, and restoration as Central Boxing Gym hosts a Back-to-School Event and Fundraiser on Saturday, July 26, aimed at supporting local youth and raising funds to restore the gym’s historic mural after recent vandalism. 

The event, organized by WBC USNBC Junior Welterweight Champion Trini Ochoa, will run from 9 AM – 12 PM, and will be located at Central Boxing Gym – 1755 W. Van Buren in Phoenix, and will include:

•        Free backpacks and school supplies

•        Complimentary breakfast for children

•        Free haircuts provided by Evolution Barbershop

•        Meet-and-greet with Champion Trini Ochoa – autographs and photo ops for kids

·         50/50 Raffle to restore the Central Boxing Gym mural

·         Silent raffle of a Manny Pacquiao signed glove and a David Benavidez signed glove.

“Boxing has always taught us discipline, resilience, and pride in our community,” said Ochoa. “Now it’s our turn to give back, not just to prepare kids for the school year, but to protect our history and the spirit of this neighborhood.”

This event is also a call to action for the community: to raise funds to restore the cherished Central Boxing Gym mural, which was recently vandalized. The mural stands as a powerful tribute to the legacy of Phoenix boxing — a “cement family quilt” honoring fighters, trainers, and figures like journalist Norm Frauenheim and Mary Rose Wilcox — and is seen by many as the boxing community’s de facto Hall of Fame.

“The Central Boxing Gym is where generations of champions learned discipline and life skills,” said Mary Rose Wilcox, former chairperson of the Arizona Boxing Commission and community leader.  “This place continues to shape our youth into strong, contributing members of society. I urge the community to support this gym and its mission.”

For decades, Central Boxing Gym has been a safe haven and proving ground for kids and families alike — a place where values like sportsmanship, diversity, hard work, and respect are instilled through boxing. It’s more than a gym — it’s a pillar of the community.

“I think for me, and speaking for my family, Central Boxing Gym has significant meaning, not only to us, but to all Phoenicians involved in Arizona boxing,” said Michael McCain, General Manager of Central Boxing Gym.  “We pay homage to the great fighters that have come and gone from Arizona, to perform at the highest levels of amateur boxing and onto the professional ranks. We honor not only to the boxers, but also to the others who have paved the way in the Arizona boxing community outside the ring. Central boxing gives great representation to fighters such as Michael Carbajal, arguably the greatest fighter in his weight class, to the Benavidez brothers – Jose Jr., the youngest Golden Gloves Champion and his brother David, first the WBC Super Middleweight Champion, and now the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion. We honor the great Mike Tyson, who trained at Central prior to his retirement. 

“Central Boxing is now nationally ranked on the amateur circuit,” continued McCain.  “We have trained some of the top fighters from 18U down to 12U on a National level.

“We are looking for assistance from the community to restore the beauty of our mural.  It’s been tagged a couple times over the past two years, and we want to keep the mural well maintained and continue to honor the great fighters that represent our state so pridefully.”

The boxing community is coming together for the event. Evolution Barbershop, which is owned by JL Boxing Academy’s Junior Lopez will be providing free back-to-school haircuts, and local boxing coach Cruz Ramirez will be on hand to prepare pancakes for people attending the event.

For questions, or to contribute to the event, please contact Emily Pandelakis at [email protected].