BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Bakersfield is becoming known for pumping out professional athletes with the likes of Corbin Burnes, Derek Carr and Jordan Love.
They didn’t know it when they left for Oxnard before Oct. 1, but 18-year-old Aaron Guzman and 16-year-old Xavier Alcala would be returning to Bakersfield as international boxing champions.
“It felt good,” said boxer, Aaron Guzman. “I felt relief.”
Guzman and Xavier are boxers at the Bakersfield Police Activities League. Xavier, in the 165 weight class, has been boxing since he was five. Guzman, weighing 189, has been boxing since he was 13. Xavier won his fight at the International P.A.L. Boxing Championships in Oxnard, California, in a unanimous decision.
“I was feeling a little nervous. It was a good fight, it was back to back, me and my opponent,” said Guzman. “He came from a long way and I did too. I hoped I looked good for the judges, hoped I looked good for my coach…hoped I made him proud.”
Daniel Alcala, also Xavier’s father, has been coaching the boys at the P.A.L. Center.
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“The kids, they put in the hard work,” said Alcala. “They’re the ones that push themselves.”
Daniel has been coaching at P.A.L. since he was 17-years-old. Daniel says P.A.L., still serves as a great place for young kids to stay off the streets and out of trouble.
“This place helped me when I was a kid, our neighborhood kids, keep us out of trouble,” said Daniel.
Next up, for both fighters, Xavier will be competing in the four month long “Silver Gloves” tournament beginning Nov. 2, taking place in Kansas City.
Guzman, is shooting for nationals in December. For Daniel, he’s just proud of his fighters, and hopes other parents will see what P.A.L. has to offer.
“I love this place. If your kid ain’t here, bring them here,” said Daniel. “There’s different things for them to do, we got everything to keep the kids off the streets.”
If you’re interested in something like this or maybe another program or sport, you can find out what programs are offered and what time they run here.