Boxing events take place throughout the year in Houston.
Houston has a lively boxing scene with clubs dedicated to the sport and gyms with boxing facilities dotted all around the city. Several famous boxers and trainers also live in the city. Amateur boxers of all levels compete including women and youth. All legal Texas boxing events are regulated by the state's Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Southeast Texas Regional Golden Gloves
Boxers, promoters and fans flock to the annual Southeast Texas Regional Golden Gloves in Texas. The event is over 70-years-old and takes place at the AYVA Center, large event facility in Houston. It is part of the famous Golden Gloves amateur competition. Regional winners compete for the National Golden Gloves competition. Boxers compete in several numerous weight classes. Men and women box in the tournament. In January 2009, over 450 entrants participated in the Southeast Texas Regional Golden Gloves competition. They range in age from eight to almost 50.
Savarese Promotions
Savarese Promotions organizes boxing events throughout the year in Texas including many bouts in Houston. The company is owned by former heavy champion Lou Savarese who is a native of the city. He promotes clean fighting in his matches and mentors area youth. He retired in 2007 and began promoting fights in 2009. His events are well attended and tickets can run as high as $300 for bouts. Every other month the company sponsors the Savarese Fight Fit Pro Card featuring local fighters. The bouts take place at the Houston Club.
Texas Cage Fights
Mixed martial artists who combine boxing and the martial arts fight in bouts in the Houston area throughout the year including Puro Combate, an event featuring Latino MMA athletes. Events are listed on the Texas Mixed Martial Arts website.
Houston Open Ring Nationals
Houston Open Ring Nationals began in September 2010. The USA Boxing sanctioned event drew athletes from all around the United States, Canada and New Mexico. Male and female boxers competed in the inaugural competition including regional Golden Gloves champions.
Toyota Center HBO After Dark
Houston's Toyota Center hosts major boxing events that are telecast around the world including bouts in the "HBO Boxing After Dark" series of fights. In 2009, the arena hosted a fight featuring Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz, a native of Houston and an elite welterweight boxer.
Tags: Golden Gloves, Regional Golden, Southeast Texas, Southeast Texas Regional, Texas Regional