Topless
Ring Girls PAL Boxing Event
Stockton, CA - March 2007
Underage
Children Exposed to Topless Ring Girls
at Central CA Boxing Association
Police
Chief and Mayor Humiliated, Outrage From the Community
Never
has so much attention been paid to amateur boxing in Stockton California.
However, according to an NBC Sports writer, Alan Abrahamson, Frank
Dobales, the representative and coach for the Stockton PAL, along with the
organization known as the Downtown Sportsman Association, held a private
invitation only, amateur boxing event where Topless Ring girls were the
main attraction. According to the same report, underage children were exposed
leaving parents in an outrage. Frank Dobales has earned his name in
boxing history as the first amateur coach to use Topless Ring Girls at an
amateur event.
Frank
Dobales
The entire boxing
community, including the California Boxing Commission, and representatives of
the international boxing organizations are outraged that elderly Frank
Doblales, the coach, allegedly agreed to the event. Dozens of outraged
citizens are screaming for his immediate termination, and are urging criminal
charges be filed. Many are baffled; unable to believe he did not see this as
inappropriate. He was once considered a role model and placed in the Hispanic
Hall of Fame.
Stockton has once
again managed to outdo itself when it comes to bad news, bad examples, and bad
behavior. Frank Dobales, Mr. Boxing, has added another black eye to the
already badly beaten image of Stockton. We’ve had a corrupt Sheriff,
politicians, gangs, high unemployment, and city managers who spent--and
lost--millions. Now we have Topless Ring Girls demonstrating their
bosoms to underage children. The city has added to its Wild West reputation,
thanks to the thoughtlessness of the Central California Boxing Association
leadership, who sanctioned the event. Thanks to their deplorable leadership, we
can add topless ring girls to its history of blunders. Readers should be
reminded, even Las Vegas draws the line at exposing underage children to bare
bosoms.
In my travels,
including many third world countries, I have never heard of anything like this.
I have never seen topless ring girls, not even in Sin City. Not
even those jaded, money-grabbing gamblers expose children to bare-chest women.
Not even in Nevada where one can find legal prostitution, has anyone seen
topless ring girls.
Leaders from
across the country have voiced their outrage. To add insult to injury, not only
was the show held at a city facility, it was supported, and attended by leaders
from Stockton’s alleged Christian Community, or at least its wealthy citizens.
Lots of money was raised and according to Michael Fitzgerald, they should
keep the money. According to the Stockton Record, PAL has returned $3,000.
According to Fitzgerald, what’s the harm in youngsters looking at topless ring
girls, if they are already pounding each other senseless. Mikey then called Topfree
Equal Rights Association for women who go topless. According to them, there
are no studies that indicate a young man will be damaged by nudity. He mentions
Janet Jackson’s breast exposure. It seems that showing your boobs is ok. I
have a question for my former journalistic hero: "Hey Mike, how about the
children’s innocence"? What would you say if men were exposing themselves
to children?" Where do you draw the line? Oh yeah, it’s also against the
law, Mikey.
Frank with Tony
during his last fight
Some are asking
why Frank Dobales, 77-year old Louis Jordan, of the Central
California Boxing Association, co-signed the event if they knew topless ring
girls would be part of the show. Critics are saying the show could not have
taken place without their knowledge. Keep in mind Mr. Jordan allegedly is
an elected USA Boxing Official. He allegedly pulls the strings in the Central
California Boxing Association. Questions are being hurled at the Chief of
Officials, demanding to know how he could have participated in an illegal
event. Questions are being hurled at USA Boxing headquarters in Colorado
Springs. Some are wondering how is it possible that alleged, mature adult men
could allow underage children to witness bare-breasted women prancing about the
ring? Others feel disappointed and betrayed.
The main question
is how could these men consider this appropriate behavior?
Some Central
California residents are demanding immediate termination of the president, the
chief of officials, secretary, and any officer who knowingly supported this
violation of trust. Whether these terminations take place or not, no one will
ever look at these men the same way. Most are lost for words, and unable to
comprehend how these men, who are always quick to point out rules to everyone,
participated in such behavior. These are allegedly the same individuals who have
used the rules to cow, oppress, and squash anyone who challenges them. These are
the same men who were once believed to be the standard bearers and code
enforcers of amateur boxing.
As a member of
Central California Boxing Association, and a former Central California Boxing
official, I am disappointed, but not surprised, that events have deteriorated to
this degree. As a sportswriter covering boxing in California, I have had
problems with underdressed adult females being used as ring girls during amateur
shows. For years, those who have read my coverage of Amateur events know things
have not been going well in the Central California Boxing Association. As matter
of opinion amongst its many members, who are forced to join due to present
rules, things stink. Many would prefer to join Northern or Southern association,
but are unable to do so due to USA Boxing rules. It comes as no surprise that it
was Frank Dobales, Mr. Boxing, and member of the Hispanic Hall of Fame in
Stockton, who allegedly stepped over the line. However, it was only with the
approval of current Central California Boxing officials. I have personally
witnessed shows put on by Dobales in which ring girls displayed too much
skin in front of underage children. I stated my position years ago. My
disapproval and reporting of Central California boxing events was met with my
being blacklisted by Central California Boxing Association officers. Members of
the leadership told coaches not to speak to me, or share information regarding
boxing in Central Boxing Association. As a result, I was shunned, and treated
like a leper for calling it what it was. Inappropriate and Wrong.
It is difficult to
believe that USA Boxing of Colorado Springs would tolerate such conduct.
It is even more difficult to believe the current Chief of officials, Andy
Murietta, who points out rules to everyone, and my former boss, would
knowingly participate. I find it hard to believe any of these men, who pride
themselves in their positions as USA Boxing Representatives, would participate
in such behavior.
Child Protective
Services (CPS) might suggest everyone involved was complacent in exposing
children to an inappropriate, sexually explicit event. CPS might add that under
California Law every one of these men is guilty. It might suggest that a grand
jury is formed and this matter is addressed. It could suggest that the District
Attorney file charges against everyone who helped stage the event. It could
further suggest that these men be removed from their positions as USA Boxing
representatives.
Everyone should be
held accountable. The question is who will be the fall guy? Who will be held
accountable and what will the aftershock be? How will this affect the already
fragile condition of Central California Boxing Association? Will it be allowed
to continue to exist, or will it be removed?
According to Alan
Abrahamson, 15-year old Gonzalo Riquielme has had his innocence stripped
away. Opponents of Olympic style boxing in the United States can point at this
and say "Wrong!" Some have suggested that The Downtown
Sportsman’s Club bow its head in shame. Its members should be exposed.
According to California law, everyone involved is an accomplice.
Armando Garcia,
head of the California Athletic Commission, described it as
"distasteful." The California Boxing Commission who oversees all
boxing in the state might take charge, thereby removing the need for elected
Central California Boxing Association officials or USA Boxing.
Not
everyone involved feels remorse. Mike Haley, a Stockton Banker, allegedly
said, "There was nothing inappropriate, other than a couple of ring girls
had their tops off by the end of the night.". Others don’t agree, like
Michigan Athletic director, and former President of the US Olympic Committee,
who said, "I’m embarrassed for the sport." Tom Virgets, the
chairman and director at the US Naval Academy said, "It’s
unbelievable."
According to the
report 77-year old Mr. Louis Jordan has scheduled regional boxing events
without proper notice to Northern California Clubs, leaving boxers like James
Zimmerman, of San Francisco, feeling sandbagged. According to one of the
coaches, it appears that the plan from the beginning was to have the girls
appear topless at some point during the night. Pete Padilla of Fairfield,
one of the coaches, was told to stay behind the screen by Frank Dobales,
but never told him the women would be topless. Perhaps a minor detail to Frank,
who allegedly normally gets ring girls from topless bars. One
might wonder why nearly naked women are necessary at amateur shows?
Boxing Coach Paul
Wade of San Francisco, said, "The women just appeared in the ring and
went past his shoulder." The winner of that bout, Melissa McMorrow,
a 25-year-old San Francisco architect, said, "To me, it was just a slap in
the face." Her outrage is shared by many that love boxing but hate the
ugliness of its dark side.
According to the
report, Mr. Louis Jordan the 77-year-old representative of USA Boxing,
who allegedly sanctioned the event, left before any bosoms were exposed, and
feels the entire matter is of no consequence. He states that since there was no
"intentional harm" done, no one should be held accountable. Seemingly,
it appears Mr. Jordan finds nothing inappropriate. Keep in mind, this is
the USA Boxing representative, in charge of enforcing the rules. Evidently, it
seems exposing children to topless ring girls is no big deal. Whoever said age
equates to wisdom should get a load of this.
Those interested
in reading the story by Alan Abrahamson, should go to NBC Sports.com.
This story will have many new chapters as heads begin to roll, and everyone runs
for cover. Thanks to Frank Dobales, once called Mr. Boxing, and
member of the Hispanic Hall of Fame, Stockton is once again the center of
negative attention, suspicion, and national disdain. This event has harmed
boxing and is helping its decline. Some might suggest that perhaps Mr. Boxing
should be removed from the Hispanic Hall of Fame for failing to meet minimal
standards as a role model.
As a member of
Central California Boxing Association, but not a member of the inner clique, I
am disappointed, but not surprised, that the men in charge of enforcing
standards and maintaining proper decorum are the men ones who let us down. It is
common knowledge that total power corrupts totally. Look at what has happened to
our President. After two terms in office, he has mistakenly come to believe he
owns the authority awarded him by his position. This is true of most of the
leadership of Central California Boxing Association. They have been calling the
shots and running the show for so long, they’ve come to believe they are the
show. I predicted this would happen years ago. These misguided men have harmed
boxing, more than anyone who has stolen money or broken the rules. They have
brought shame to the sport, said to represent the best in American values. Once
again, it seems it’s time to make hard choices. The easiest thing to do is
just sweep this under the rug and pretend it never happened. But the sad truth
is that a complete overhaul of the system is necessary, and term limits should
be imposed for all officials of amateur boxing. These men have assumed they are
the authority. Their arrogance has undermined them. It has been true throughout
history. Sadly, it’s the very same people they were placed there to
represent--the kids who have suffered the most. The absence of character is
never difficult to discern. Once again, the Peter Principal and Murphy’s Law
have come in to play. People rise to their level of incompetence; and if it can
go wrong, it will go wrong.
Once
again, even in light of this foolishness, I gotta say,
Thank God for Boxing
See You Ringside,
Jorge A. Martinez
Email: theboxinguru@comcast.net
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