Sheriffs take it on the chin, lose main event

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WHITTIER, Calif. (May 25, 2006) -- The Camp Pendleton Varsity boxing team squared off against the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s fighters at the Sheriff’s Academy Saturday in Whittier.

The event was held to help raise money for the City of Hope, which is an organization that helps under privileged children in the Los Angeles community. It drew a crowd of more than 1,500 fans — many of whom made the road trip to support the Devil Dogs.

“I was shocked by the turnout of fans rooting for the Marines while we were in the Sheriff’s own back yard,” said Anthony Gonzales, the boxing coach for the Camp Pendleton Varsity boxing team.

Despite the strong support, the Marines lost three of the five bouts they participated in on the evening to judges’ decisions. But in the night’s two final fights — the co-Main Events — Marines earned back-to-back victories.

In the final bout of the night, Juan Hernandez, fighting in the Super Heavyweight division, came away with a victory over deputy Eddie Contreras by decision. It looked like Hernandez might record a knockout after he put Contreras on the ground in the first round, but the fight wound up going the three-round distance in favor of Hernandez.

Will Braley, fighting in the 178-pound Light Heavyweight division, also took care of deputy James Terrell earlier in the evening with a victory by decision. For his impressive effort, Braley was named the Most Outstanding Fighter for the event.

“It’s always good to win the main events, especially being on the road,” said Gonzales, whose been coaching the Camp Pendleton Varsity team for several years now.

“With it being the last two fights of the night, the crowd was completely in it.”

While Hernandez and Braley were victorious, fellow Marines Gonzolo Leon, Douglas Parthero and Antonio Webster all lost by decisions.

The plan for the team is to get its Marine Corps training done and prepare for its next showdown in either July or August.

The All-Marine Corps boxing coach will be hosting a clinic June 16-20 at the 33 Area Fitness Center. The event is open to all Marines. For more information, call (760) 763-1636.