Wednesday, July 3rd 2013
How the Biggest Names in Boxing Celebrate July 4th
From welterweight champ Tim Bradley escaping the heat in Palm Springs to HBO’s Jim Lampley attending a family reunion in Massapequa, N.Y, here’s how fighters and boxing luminaries are celebrating Independence Day.
“Going to spend quality time celebrating at a family picnic.”
PAULIE AYALA
Former World Champion
“We will be at home in Fort Worth, and yes, I will be firing up the grill.”
“We are getting out of this horrible heat and travelling up to Lake Arrowhead.”
MICHAEL BUFFER
“Leaving for Germany, then will spend a week in Monte Carlo.”
“Rachel and I are planning to have a BBQ and a nice pool party.”
CHRIS FARINA
Ringside Photographer
“Going to a small get-together pool party for the 4th.”
“This is a time to be with family and friends.”
LUPE CONTRERAS
“We will be relaxing and having the nephews and nieces over for movies and some pool fun here in Houston.”
JOEL DIAZ
Trainer – Tim Bradley
“I am planning to be in Las Vegas with a young fighter who is turning pro.”
“I will be in a parade here in Moreno Valley.”
ROBERT GARCIA
Trainer of the Year
“We will be in the gym. Brandon (Rios) is already training so we must work. Brandon will be in the gym on the 4th.”
FRANK ESPINOZA
Manager
“I am planning to go to Napa Valley. I enjoy wine tasting, visiting vineyards. It is a great place to get away with family and friends.”
JIM LAMPLEY
“I will be at my wife’s reunion in Massapequa, N.Y. We are also visiting my one-month old grandson in New York. Very thrilling, actually.”
Contender
“I am spending time in Denver with friends. I am going to a Colorado Rockies baseball game and fireworks afterwards. Then my West Coast friends who come to all of my fights are throwing a party at night.”
MICHAEL KONCZ
Chief Advisor for MANNY PACQUIAO
“I am always working for things for Manny. For the 4th, we will be our children and probably do a barbecue a tour house. We can see the fireworks from the top of the hill behind our house.”
JACK LOEW
Trainer, Kelly Pavlik
Youngstown, Ohio
“We are having some people over at the house for a 4th of July celebration. We have a big in-ground pool for all of the kids.”
“There will be a big celebration going on over on West Flamingo in Las Vegas — it’s an annual event, open to the public and I will be with my best friends from Red Handed Art Gallery. Music, food and fireworks – Jessie will be with me too.”
“I am planning to spend time with my family and having a nice BBQ.”
“Well, I have some torn ligaments in my ankle from my fight on Saturday night. Might go out to the lake to be with the family on July 4.”
USA Olympian
“BBQ, fireworks, hanging with the family for the 4th.”
“This is a great time to be with the family. We will get a nice BBQ going on the 4th.”
Heavyweight Contender
“I will be back in the gym on the 4th training for my fight in MACAU.”
World Contender
“I plan to take my usual run on the morning of the 4th because I hope to get back into the ring in August. Then my father and I will train twin fighters – Gregory and Thomas – who are competing in an amateur tournament here in Coachella Valley. Afterwards, I will go to my Uncle Dave’s house for a BBQ and a pool party. It’s been 120-degrees here so I cannot wait to get into the water.”