By Don Smith. Dear Boxing Fans, Alyssa DeFazio was born in New Burgh New York 20 years ago. Her father was a New York Police officer who had to quit the force because   of medical reasons. Her Uncle is a police officer and her cousin wears the uniform proudly as well. Assuming the apple wouldn't fall too far from the tree there was a good chance Alyssa would grow up and become a police officer. At age 4, Alyssa and her family moved from the Empire state to Arizona  eventually settling in Wittman  a 1 gas station, 1 Subway  town situated between Surprise  and Wickenburg off US Highway 60.  According to Alyssa, she took up karate lessons shortly after moving to the Cactus  State and  added boxing to her self defense  repertoire  by the time she was 8. Her younger brother is an accomplished dirt bike racer.

 

  When she was 12 , DeFazio met Martial Arts and Boxing coach George Garcia Sr. who was impressed with her work ethic and skills. He started working with her seriously at his "Hammer" Gym located at 17233 N. Holmes BLVD. in Phoenix. Garcia  calls DeFazion the "hardest working"  boxer on the planet. High praise from a coach who boxed his way to a California State Bantamweight Title  in 1990 and a #10 World Ranking. Garcia is also known  for his work with current UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson  and his son George "El Torito" Garcia Jr.   who retired in 2007 with a record of 13-1-1. George Jr.  is an equal business  partner with Garcia Senior and both men   hold the boxing fort  together with an assist from their daytime  AC work earnings.Despite the long and grueling  hours to maintain his boxing enterprise, George never complains.  

 

  As time passed and her boxing stature grew , Alyssa continued to   win  trophy after trophy and with them came  a  multitude of Arizona State and  US National  Boxing Titles. She was thought to be an almost automatic 2012 Olympic qualifier .  And then came another tempting offer ; one that questioned her purpose in life....would she like to become a police officer?    Before the 2012  US Olympic Trials began in February, Alyssa was notified that a background check  to qualify applicants  for the Police Academy  training would be conducted in her area   and the time frame coincided with her  Olympic Trials Schedule .  It was decision time for the 5'9"  165 lb  winner of over 30 amateur fights. She sought counsel from her parents and both corners told her it was her call.

 

    In weighing her options, she  remembered the good times she had as a Cadet in the Police Explorer program while completing her high school education. Another factor considered  was the inherited  police service  tradition  within the family. Neither offer was a sure thing. Boxing is a fragile sport and she could get hurt or lose  and miss the Olympics. Passing the Police Academy Course meant 9 months of grueling mental and physical testing.  Neither challenge was a sure thing but Alyssa thought her best bet was to pursue the shield and not the Gold Medallion .

 

 On August 9, 11 and 12, Alyssa will be glued to her television set rooting on her American  boxing sisters: Queen Underwood, Marlen Esparza and Claresa Shields in their pursuit of Olympic Glory.  She is at Peace with her decision.

 

The Arizona State Boxing Commission office reports there are 6 licensed matchmakers working in Arizona. Mike Sanchez and Roger Woods are licensed to arrange boxing  matches  in Arizona. Sanchez, President of USA Boxing Arizona , also has a Matchmaker License in Nevada which permits  him to match fights there. Asher Lutz, Cesar Ortiz Richard Reyes and John Petrilli are licensed MMA Matchmakers. Anyone wanting to become a matchmaker  in the State of  Arizona must fill out an application with the Arizona

State Boxing and MMA Commission. which runs $100.00 and includes the finger print fee. Call 602-364-1721 for further information. If matchmakers have a financial interest in any Pro Boxer or Pro MMA Fighter....that information must be disclosed to the Commission. Any violation merits a stiff penalty.

 

  Mark your calendar for Saturday  August 4 when popular and undefeated Arizona Light Welterweights Jose Benavidez  and Javier Loya   square off at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas on the under card action of the  Diego Magdaleno (22-0) Vs. Antonio Davis (29-7) Junior Lightweight war. Light Heavyweight   Mike Lee (9-0) is fighting some guy named TBA. Fight fans become a bit miffed when a card has holes going into the final days of the event. Despite that dilemma...drive to the venue or watch this one on Telefutura. Benavidez Jr (15-0) and Loya (7-0) is an interesting pairing . Benavidez, a Top Rank protege, is the pedigreed fighter in this match up while Loya is considered  the mongrel that no promotional company  wanted to sign.  All he does is win. Jose is 20 and Javier is 25. On paper, Benavidez is favored but Javier is married and  hungry. Both guys are class act and a compliment to their community.  Each fighter  deserve a bow for putting their undefeated records on the line. Jose trains at Central Gym in Phoenix while Javier has new digs at the Busted Knuckle Gym in North Phoenix...Go if you can  spare the dime. Call the Casino for tickets.  

 

Parting shots: USA Boxing Arizona  official  and MCSO Boxing Trainer  Walt Hoskins is home recovering an undisclosed illness. He is a prominent figure in Arizona boxing and everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. Chris Alvarado, an assistant to Walt,  is working with 125 lb boxing standout Lupita Nevarez. Chris has a good eye for talent  and he says she is the real deal.....Iron Boy Promotions  has cancelled  their  August 11 Celebrity Theatre show in Phoenix. It will be rescheduled for November at the same venue. Rumors are circulationg that Iron Boy and Fan Base Promotions might collaborate on a future show but if it does happen...look for Jesus "El Martillo" Gonzales to headline if the rumor comes to fruition.  Alan Kahn, speed bag expert, was at the irongloves gym in Tempe to talk about and demonstrate the power of the Speed Bag. He gave a demonstration at the 1996 Olympics.UNTIL NEXT TIME!