2015 UCA Year In Review

2015 proved Public Safety boxing is hotter than ever and not just in California but all over the country. Battle of the Badges events are being held in Louisiana, Chicago, New York, Missouri, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom with record setting crowds. The Battle of the Badges is the biggest amateur event in the country and continues to grow at a rapid pace. Top level talent is emerging and fans have a lot to be excited about. Dream matchups like Brian Stevens, LASD vs Guillermo Garcia, LAPD, Dusty Rodriguez, Santa Monica FD vs Chris Martinez, Fresno PD and Brent Bugarin, Santa Clara SD vs Shant Sheklanian, Madera PD along with the California vs New York and California vs Louisiana are perfect examples of how far Public Safety boxing has evolved and the possibilities in years to come…

UCA Promoter of the Year

Jeff Penn, the SoCal Battle of the Badges promoter continues to put on great events at the best venues in California. Fighters and fans can count on 3 to 4 Battle of the Badges events per year held at Aqua Caliente, Pechanga, Morongo, and Pala Resorts and Casinos. Mr. Penn held the first all-female Battle of the Badges card and is working on hosting the first event held on the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier in San Diego, CA

UCA Event of the Year

The Central California Battle of the Badges held at the Hanford Civic Auditorium was the most electrifying event of 2015. It was a highly anticipated event that lived up to the hype. The place was packed and the walls were jumping. The sold out crowd was treated to 12 action packed fights featuring some of the best fighters in the country, 5 UCA Championship Title fights, Steven Lee, Sedgwick Sheriff Dept. traveled from Kansas to compete in the event and James Moore, Monroe Fire Dept. traveled from Louisiana to take on Bryan Williams, Fresno Police Dept. for the UCA Heavyweight Championship. “Golden Fists” honors were awarded to Zachary Farris, CHP and Steven Lee. Sedgwick Sheriff Dept. and “Fight of the Night” honors were awarded to AJ Forestiere, Madera Police Dept. and John Henderson, Hanford Police Dept. Proceeds from the event benefited the Fallen Officers Resource Fund, Bear Nation Wrestling Team, the Hanford Police Dept. Explorers, and Fresno Fire Captain Pete Dern who was severely burned battling a house fire.

UCA Fighter of the Year

A fighter who directly impacts Public Safety boxing by the way he/she performs in the ring. A fighter who stood out from the rest and proved they are the best by challenging and defeating anyone who was put in front of them.

Shant Sheklanian, Madera Police Dept. UCA Undefeated Jr Welterweight Champion

Dusty Rodriguez, Santa Monica Fire Dept. Undisputed, Reigning and Defending Jr Middleweight Champion

Chris Martinez, Fresno Police Dept. Interim UCA Jr Middleweight Champion & Louisiana Battle of the Badges Champion

DJ Vargas, Hanford Police Dept. Undisputed, Reigning and Defending UCA Middleweight Champion

Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff Dept. Undisputed, Reigning and Defending UCA Light Heavyweight Champion

Alan Rojas, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept. Undefeated Super Cruiserweight Champion

Bryan Williams, Fresno Police Dept. Masters UCA Heavyweight Champion

Chris Lewis, Fresno Sheriff Dept. Reigning, Undefeated, Undisputed, Defending UCA Super Heavyweight Champion

UCA Coach of the Year

A coach who has the knowledge and experience to unlock a fighters true potential and mold them into a champion. There are a lot of critical factors that make a champion, having a great coach is the most important one.

Mando Guzman – Coach of the UCA Cruiserweight Champion Brian Stevens, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept. and UCA Super Cruiserweight Champion Alan Rojas, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.

David Rodela – Coach of the UCA Jr Middleweight Champion Dusty Rodriguez, Santa Monica Fire Dept.

Vance Bejarano – Coach of the UCA Light Heavyweight Champion Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff Dept.

Pat Roberts, Appolonio “T” Fernandez, and Jasper Tayaba – Coach of the UCA Super Heavyweight Champion Chris Lewis, Fresno Sheriff Dept.

2015 Fights That Got Away

Ray Encinas. Los Angeles Police Dept. vs David Bermudez, East Bay Regional Parks Police Dept.
Hector Mendoza. Los Angeles Police Dept. vs Jorge Caamal, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Quincy Mirage. Los Angeles Police Dept. vs Brandon Manning, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Deirdre Fonseca, Los Angeles Police Dept. vs Marina Lizarraga, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Daniel Ramirez. vs Jose Corral, Los Angles Sheriff Dept.
Walter Lavarro, Long Beach Police Dept. vs Jose Corral, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Devon Dejoie, U.S. Navy vs Ancel Patricio, Orange County Sheriff Dept.
Shawn Sutherland, Big Bear City FD vs Remin Pineda, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
John Henderson, Hanford Police Dept. vs Brian Petrella, Pasadena Police Dept.

UCA Champions Missing in Action

Stephanie Sparks, Masters UCA Super Middleweight Champion, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Brent Bugarin UCA Welterweight Champion, Santa Clara Sheriff Dept.
Matthew Pereida, UCA Super Middleweight Champion, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Brian Stevens, UCA Cruiserweight Champion, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Mike Frazier, UCA Heavyweight Champion Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Cleon Jones UCA Masters Super Heavyweight Champion Yolo County Sheriff Dept.

UCA Biggest Most Memorable Fights of 2015

Fights that undoubtedly will be talked about years from now. While most fights come and go these memorable battles will live on through the ages and become a part of UCA Boxing History.

Zachary Farris, CHP vs Steven Lee, Sedgwick Sheriff Dept.
Chris Lewis, Fresno Sheriff Dept. vs Pierce Masse, Fresno Police Dept.
Bryan Williams Fresno Police Dept vs JR Moore, Monroe Louisiana Fire Dept.
Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff Dept vs Josh Mejia, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Alan Rojas Los Angeles Sheriff Dept. vs Enrique Frias, San Diego Probation.

Fighters to Keep an Eye On

Marina Lizarraga, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Joseph Flahaven, Glendale Fire Dept.
Marc Maroquin, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Jesse Zaranaga, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Manny Amaya, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Brandon Manning, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Ancel Patricio, Orange County Sheriff Dept.
Jose Corral, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Abran Rodriguez, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Hue Xiong, Fresno Sheriff Dept.
Ryan Parker, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Ricky Seward, Big Bear City Fire Dept.
Remin Pineda, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Chris Pharo, San Diego Fire Dept
Devon Dejoie, U.S. Navy
Mike Delrey, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Frederic Sabas, Sycuan Fire Dept.
Josh Webb, California Highway Patrol
Jaboy Leomitti, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept
Mike Hernandez, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Brendy Ponce, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Danny Ramirez, Los Angeles Police Dept.

UCA Fights of the Year

Nestor Escobar, Los Angeles Police Dept vs Marc Maroquin, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept
Gracie Melendrez, Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. vs. Kesha Guilin, Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept.
Ashley Powers, CDCR Ironwood vs. Alexis Marquez, EMT
Hector Mendoza, Los Angeles Police Dept. vs Kyle Ferrari, Alhambra Police Dept.
John Henderson, Hanford Police Dept. vs AJ Forestiere, Madera Police Dept.
Josh Webb, CHP vs Jeremy Parker, CDCR, CSP Sac

UCA Breakout Fighter of the Year

A fighter who steps into the ring for the first time and wins over the crowd with skill, heart and personality. One you can’t wait to see fight again.

Zachary Farris, California Highway Patrol
Michael Banks, CDCR Susanville
Brian Hoist, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
John Henderson, Hanford Police Dept.
Kendra Hendricks, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Gracie Melendrez, Orange County Sheriff Dept
Ashley Powers, CDCR Ironwood

UCA Performance of the Year

A fighter who displays exceptional skills in a near flawless performance

Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff Dept. vs Omar Romero, U.S.M.C.
Shant Sheklanian, Madera Police Dept. vs Francisco Flores, Stanislaus Sheriff Dept.

UCA Quote of the Year

“Who dat Tom…Who dat say dey wanna rumble??” Anthony Deshautelle, Alexandria Police Dept.

Most Talented Fighters Without a Title

With the talent these fighters possess it’s just a matter of time before they become a champion

Female Fighters
Savannah Stewart, Richmond Police Dept.
Shannon Herrera, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Asiah Medawar, San Bernardino Sheriff Dept.
Deirdre Fonseca, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Laura Morales, Madera Dept. of Corrections
Alice Lopez, U.S. Probation
Kat Proudfoot, 29 Palms Fire Dept.

Males Fighters
Larry Cervantes, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
David Bermudez, East Bay Regional Parks Police Dept.
Ray Encinas, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Jorge Caamal, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Quincy Mirage, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Hector Mendoza, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Aurelio Vasquez, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Mike Barragan, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Jamaal Braithwaite Orange County Sheriff Dept.
Joshua Mejia, Los Angeles Sheriff Dept.
Enrique Frias, San Diego Probation
Guillermo Garcia, Los Angeles Police Dept.
Pierce Masse, Fresno Police Dept.
Justin Robinson, Combat Center Fire Dept.

2015 will be remembered for many remarkable moments. Fans witnessed blockbuster events, career defining championship fights as well as break out performances and the next generation of stars. Brace yourself for 2016.