Caamal Goes From Fighter to Promoter

The #1 ranked, 3X Police Olympic Gold Medalist Jorge Caamal, LASD has been busy lately not training for a fight but promoting one.  Caamal will enter the boxing world as a promoter for the first time November 22, 2013. In an exclusive interview the UCA spent a few moments with the top rated boxer turned Promoter Jorge Caamal.

UCA: Being a successful fighter and being involved in so many events do you think it gives you an advantage over promoters who have never stepped into the ring?

JC: Maybe. Being around over the years, I’ve seen a lot of our fighters as well as our possible opponents so it’s definitely helped in matching-up the fights. Also being involved in the fights has helped me see over the years what I can do to improve things.

UCA: Which is more work training for a fight, or putting a fight together as a promoter?

JC: Training for a fight is definitely more work physically, but putting together a fight is  more mentally exhausting and frustrating. Sometimes I feel like a need to go to the gym to get rid of the stress from putting together the fight. I’ve now come to realize what happens on the other side of the ropes, so it’s a change for me.

UCA: Do you feel with your experience as a fighter it enables you to relate to the fighters and understand the complexities of boxing better than most?

JC: Yes. I really feel that I can relate to the fighters a lot more, being that I am a fighter myself. In fact, I have already made some changes to benefit the fighters based solely on feelings I had as a fighter. One example is I changed the way our Weigh-ins are handled so that it can be more beneficial to the fighters. I do notice that our fighters have been very receptive toward me because they know I can relate to them.

UCA: Are your days of boxing over?

JC: Absolutely not. I still have the goal in mind to capture the UCA title in 3 weight classes. Since Brent Bugarin wouldn’t give me a rematch, (May 24, 2013, Los Angeles Battle of the Badges) I guess I’ll start with another weight class until Bugarin’s 18 month mandatory title defense clause forces him to defend the title. I was thinking of maybe fighting anyone the UCA finds suitable for a title shot at 160 lbs. If the UCA finds me worthy of a title shot at 160 lbs.

UCA: What was the reasoning behind you wanting to help organize the Fight for Life event and not fight in it?

JC: Mike Young was retiring and he had been hinting for some time that he was ready to pass the torch. After being part of the LASD boxing team for over 10 years, I felt I should step up for the position. Plus in the past Mike and I put on an event known as the “St. Valentine’s day Massacre” in which we raised money for a fellow deputy and member of our boxing team who was involved in a bad motorcycle accident which left him in a wheelchair. Leading up to the event, I personally trained over 10 fighters and helped form the event. The event was a huge success and Mike Young told me he was impressed by my ability to both train and motivate fellow Deputies to fight. He told me that I should consider taking his position when he was ready to retire.

UCA: You are merging with long time Fight for Life event organizer Rudy Barragan, Frank Diaz and Robert Morales who are Team LAPD. You, Hank Nagamine, and Mike Young are Team LASD, have there been any arguments or disagreements about any of the matchups?

JC: There have been a few issues on our end, but I think some things are better left unsaid so I’ll leave it at that. For the most part though, I think most people have seen my ability to put this event together as it pertains to our fighters so I have felt more support than resistance.

As far as working with Team LAPD, it has been great. I know Rudy, Frank, and Robert very well and consider them good friends. They have welcomed me as a Coach and have made the transition easy. The best part is, I trust them (To a certain extent. LOL) and feel that we can work efficiently together to put on a good, exciting fight card rather than trying to pull a “fast one” over each other and ending up with a mismatched fight card.

UCA: Do you feel Team LASD has the edge going into the fight?

JC: Yes. We have some very good fighters and I am confident we will have a successful night. Plus being an LASD fighter makes it pretty easy for me to have a biased opinion.

UCA: I know you are busy, thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing a great show.

JC: It’s my pleasure. Thanks for the interview and also for your efforts in helping promote this event. This event truly benefits a great cause.

Caamal has the background and experience in boxing to be a successful promoter in his first event. At the end of the day boxing fans want to see good boxing and the card Caamal and Barragan have put together promises to deliver just that. The Fight for Life Event will take place Friday November 22, 2013. Tickets range from $25 to $100 and are available at the Quiet Cannon, 901 Via San Clemente Montebello, CA 90640. Doors open at 5:30pm first fight at 7pm.