Investigation: Bay Area Boxing

Tonight’s was an especially sad story to report. Keith Benjamin died this summer during a boot camp at 3rd Street Boxing Gym. The autopsy report concluded he died from blunt force trauma. Benjamin left behind a wife and two young children. Who knows if Benjamin would still be alive, had the gym followed rules set by the sport’s governing body, USA Boxing? You can read more of the issues in our script from tonight.

You can get a glimpse into what drew Keith Benjamin to boxing in his blog. He started the blog to give his perspective as a venture capitalist, but he often reflected on his personal life. He describes his first fight at 3rd Street Gym, during which he suffered a concussion.

We got a lot of reaction from our story last night into private shows at some of the most exclusive clubs in San Francisco, featuring amateur boxers as young as eight years of age. Here’s a sampling.

From Anonymous: “I attended the Boxing Event reported on at the City Club. I was asked by a friend, and only knew the event was to include black-tie attire, dinner, and boxing. After dinner, we headed down the stairs to wait for the boxing matches to begin, and there were about 10 - 15 kids warming up near the elevators. I was stunned at the age of the boxers. Some looked as though they were only 11 or 12 years old. I had assumed that the boxers would be adults. I talked myself out of immediate guilty feelings by thinking that maybe some portion of the $120 ticket I paid for was going to help these children, or that perhaps a star would be born that Friday night. But it became increasingly clear that these were underprivileged, inner city, ethnic minority kids putting on a show for the ‘rich white folks.’ I felt like I had stepped back in time, and none of it sat well with me. I only stayed to watch the first match of three rounds. I was uneasy about what I was watching, where I was, and what I was participating in. I don't know the rules. I only knew that I was invited to an event and I accepted, hoping to meet some influential people (I am out of work and thought perhaps I could meet a job connection). I believe that we (City Club attendees including myself) should take some responsibility here, however, the parents/guardians and boxing clubs are ultimately responsible for putting these children in this archaically oppressive situation. One of the scantily clad ring girls was the daughter of the announcer. I am glad that ABC news exposed this exploitive trend.”

From an organizer inside amateur boxing: “While the athletic commission was critical of amateur boxing they need to take jurisdiction over amateur boxing since USA Boxing is condoning these events by turning a blind eye to the profit making. Also many of those you interviewed will manage these amateurs when they become professional boxers and professional boxing is worse business. Great reporting.”

From a viewer in Sebastopol: “I am aghast at seeing the young 8 yr olds fighting in a boxing ring for the bored and rich...its amoral and disgusting and abusive. Shame on all involved! Betting on children hurting each other is beneath contempt! Have we lost our common decency?”

From a viewer in Oakland: “Thank you I-Team for this fighting investigation. I AM OUTRAGED at the fact that these kids are objects of entertainment for wealthy adults. I am sure these kids are Latinos and African Americans. There is no money for education nor opportunities for Latino immigrant kids but there is money for using them as puppets. I hope you repeat this story. I am going to make sure other people hear about it and more importantly, that parents speak up against it. Amateur fighting is part of many teens in Latin America, but not the way is seeing here. Again, these kids are used as objects, and so the ring girls who truly look like little girls.”

Your comments are important to us. We read and consider every one.

Comments

[Thomas J. Espinosa Sr.]

Keith should've learned how to box. Neither of the boxers in the video were boxing.Both were wading in swinging.That's not boxing.Boxing is safer than other contact sports such as football,because the boxers know what's coming at them and how to defend against it.In football,a player is looking in the air for the ball and tackled by another player running at full speed.You don't go into the 8ft. water in a swimming pool if you can't swim,but people drown every year.It is the coach who must teach technique and conditioning to the boxer.He also must determine the level of the boxer.I've trained many people who came from other gyms or MMA schools who thought they could box,but quickly realized they really couldn't.They watched compitent and able boxers at my gym hitting bags and working focus mitts.When they watched real boxers spar,they were amazed at the movement and technique.They readily addmitted they couldn't box,and either learned or quit the gym.The boxer has to practise personal responsibility.Like I stated earlier 'you don't go into the 8ft. if you can't swim.The coach must also be responsible.It's his gym.I own The Contenders Gym llc along with my wife,if people were getting hurt,they wouldn't come in.I've trained proffesors,lawyers,bartenders,realators,land scapers and others.Ive had teachers recomend my gym to their students.Ive had councelors enroll their students.Boxing is positive work.It teaches good morals.To judge boxing by one man who wanted to box,but couldn't, is wrong.Where were his family and friends when he needed them?To blame it on the gym is wrong.We'll pray for him at the gym.

[Nichole Beard]

People that don't know about boxing may want to hold comments back until futher education.I have had many positive expereinces in and around this sport.From 1998 to 2006 I was a boxer.My coach was a big part of my life he taught me many things about life other then just boxing.You are correct that some kids dont have a chance because of where they come from.However boxing can be a positive outlet for any age group. Try not to judge when it comes to boxing we are all from differt places and we all have differt passions. If I was younger I would still be boxing.I will now pass my knowledge to others that want to learn.Boxing saved my life.My coach loved me when I couldn't love myself.Print that its the truth!

[Boxingprofessor]

I am so sorry to the family of Keith Benjamin that they became a victim not by the sport of boxing but by the careless and irresponsible people who affiliate themselves to the sport that give it a bad name.

Most of these incidents are only reported when the injury have resulted in death or incapacitating injury.

A few of these illegal events are hidden on the walls of the gym where mostly new boxers train often called "smokers". This is not sanctioned by any governing body like the USA Boxing who sends certified officials to oversee the welfare of all participants (including a ring physician).

Greed is the main reason and there is plenty of blame that goes around. Greed from the gym owners in not paying the USA Amateurs Boxing sanction fee of $300 as not to lessen their take from ticket sales.

Coupled with the thirst for alcohol being served and skimpy dressed women who freely flaunt their wear along the ringside.

I am again sorry to say, these illegal events rarely have the intention to promote the sport of boxing, nor do people who attend in these events are looking into how Johnny develop his skills but on how he can put much hurt to his opponent.

These are the ill and deviant behavior that clings to the sport and gave it its bad reputation.

In closing, not everyone can throw a curve ball, not everyone can dunk to into the basket or throw a football to the end zone. Boxing like in any sport when followed by the spirit of its rules, is healthy especially to those who are really passionate to the sport.

So, it is not the sport of boxing that is in question but the ulterior motives of the people involved.

[rolando reyes]

I've seen firsthand the local boxing gyms who are doing this horrific, dangerous, ILLEGAL, and unethical practice of fighting people. Most of which are not even well trained boxers.

My cousin trained at Gladiator's Boxing Gym under USA Boxing Coach Eloy Ramirez who was training several "non-fighters" for illegal fights at Undisputed Boxing Gym in San Carlos. Including Eloy Ramirez's own girlfriend, 50 year old Becky Carpenter!!

Foolishly Becky Carpenter stepped into the ring with no skill and no common sense. SHE was knocked out only seconds into the 1st round!! Lucky SHE didn't end up like Keith Benjamin.

What about the ethics and for that matter, the legal consequences of her trainer/boyfriend Eloy Ramirez of Gladiators Gym in Redwood City for training her and others for this ILLEGAL activity? Who does he answer to?

Isn't Eloy Ramirez of Gladiators Boxing Gym in Redwood City, and Brian Schwartz of Undisputed Boxing Gym in San Carlos suppose to be filing the legal financial reports required for their many ILLEGAL fights and "exhibitions" that they are throwing?? Are authorities checking into this? If not, why not?

[Juan]

Most people are faulting the boxers for involving themselves in these "private" shows and illegal fights. I trained with Eloy Ramirez of Gladiator's Gym in Redwood City for 2 years. I was not a licensed amateur boxer with USA Boxing, and Eloy barely spent anytime training me. I was left much of the time to train on my own with little to no instruction.

When the day came that Eloy Ramirez told me to get in the ring for sparring, I trusted him that I was ready and I got in. Though he had only used hand pads with me ONCE before, and though I had minimal skill, at the time I had no reason to trust him. He had been training boxers over 30 years who am I not to believe what he says!!

I was hurt in that sparring session, though thankfully not as bad as Mr. Benjamin!! I've since found a great trainer who trains me well, and has taught me offensive skills AND defensive skills, as well as conditioning.

I attended the illegal boxing show on at Undisputed's Boxing Gym in San Caros on Nov 22, 08. It was Undisputed Boxing Gym's 3rd illegal, unsanctioned show! It was unbelievable. I didn't know it was illegal, they advertised it everywhere, even online! How is anyone to know that it's illegal? They've thrown boxing shows that were sanctioned by USA Boxing. How was anyone to know this was no different?!

I saw Becky Carpenter who is Eloy Ramirez's girlfriend get knocked out in the first round, and it wasn't pretty. She should never have been in that ring and AGAIN, it was a VERY bad, unethical, and illegal move by her boyfriend AND trainer for Eloy Ramirez to put his old age girlfriend in that ring!

Eloy Ramirez has allowed his fighters (friends of mine) such as Cynthia Talmadge, Fernando Solis and others to accept money from betters at the Olympic Club, and he himself took money from Sonny Marson to bring fighters to that illegal event. It's one thing to disqualify himself (that's IF someone actually followed thru with the mandatory consequence of breaking that USA Boxing rule!), but to allow these fighters to disqualify themselves, that's beyond dishonest and wrong!

My question is WHO is suppose to be overseeing this activity? 3rd Street Gym, Titanium Gym, Fight & Fitness Gym, Potrero Hill Boxing, Gladiators Boxign Gym in Redwood City, Fairtex, and many other gyms throw these illegal fights but NO ONE is stopping them although they have been going on for well over 8 years now!!

USA Boxing had been told about them. In fact, you can look on u tube and see MANY USA Boxing licensed people participating in them! So since USA Boxing is participating in the corruption, who oversees them? The Calif State Athletic Commission isn't! Does that leave the attorney general, or the police?

What about Paul Wade owner of 3rd Street Gym who has an international record of over 300 fights, and who fought the Olympic Qualifier against USA's Andre Ward. How could our local boxing commission give him a license as a "novice" or beginner and let him compete in the Golden Gloves allowing him to fight other beginners in the special masters division 34 years & older, and knock out everyone. ALL of those who truly were beginners/novices?!?!? What kind of sick "Olympic" style practice is that?

In the end, who's policing the USA Boxing, and Calif State Athletic Commission officials who are "suppose to" be taking care of our athletes? Coaches like Paul Wade and Eloy Ramirez are clearly only in it for themselves and they are held to a higher level of responsibility when it comes to taking care of their fighters and youth. THEY are the ones who are truly failing this sport and it's youth participants. Let's put blame not on the athletes but on these corrupt, money making, unethical users who pretend to be coaches for putting SO many of our children and people in harms way!!

Juan

[eloy ramirez]

hey juan,
keep my name out your mouth puto.
eloy

[boxing for fun]

Man, it’s amazing how much this I-team investigation has uncovered. I think that the coaches are wrong for putting children in these kinds of events and should punished in some form, either by removing the licenses, fine or jail. What I don’t understand is why is everyone bashing on the coaches and not blaming the parents or people volunteering to participate in the events. Like Becky the old lady fighter that got knock out, where's the common sense?!?!?! Or people like Juan that when into the ring knowing he lacked the skills to spar.

I've trained at Gladiators (years ago) and know Eloy, he never force me or anyone that I knew to do anything against their will . Everyone trained and did there thing. Gladiators back then didn’t have a schedule or even beginners classes. Nothing formal like a fitness facility.

Quit blaming the coaches, protect your kids and yourself and don't anyone else convince you otherwise.

[John]

Let all the morons kill themselves boxing. This is survival of the fittest and intellectual strength is worth more then physical strength boxing. One day all idiots in the world will die out, unfortunately I won't live to see the day.

[ladyboxer]

If the right people who need to show the most respect to the sport of boxing, its coaches, tragedies such as the death of Mr. Benjamin may have been prevented. Its very unfortunate that some bad apples have ruined the whole bunch, as boxing is a great outlet for many people youths and adults alike. But, when the beauty of the sport is used in such disgusting ways as to display children as entertainment, that is very disheartening!! May I wish brighter days for bay area boxing, free of corruption, illegality, and immoral people!! Thank you I-Team for helping to make this a possibility!!!

[Fan of the Truth]

Truth...Undisputed Boxing Gym did not hold illegal boxing events.
Truth..."Becky" was never knocked out or even hurt in the least.
Truth...Seems it's not important to some people.

[Juan]

Unfortunately, the truthful statements that I made about Eloy Ramirez, the owner and trainer of Gladiator's Boxing Gym in Redwood City resulted in Eloy Ramirez retaliating once again. This time, Eloy chose to retaliate on this blog in front of everyone.

As evidence to the character of this "boxing trainer" and "decent" man, Eloy Ramirez felt comfortable in slandering and attacking me, personally.

Disagreeing with someone, or defending the legal practices of someone is acceptable AND legal. It is part of the American way, part of communicating, and it's really just people co-existing with different beliefs and thoughts.

However, it IS unacceptable, unethical, immoral AND illegal to discriminate!! Now everyone has proof positive of Eloy's homophobic slur. This is evidence, one small example, of the MANY illegal, immoral, and unethical actions that we know gym owner and USA Boxing Coach, Eloy Ramirez of Gladiator's Gym practices . To use a derogatory and slanderous term for homosexual such the word Eloy Ramirez called me, "puto" is discrimination!!! Mr. Ramirez, as a Calif resident, as a business owner and as a licensed USA Boxing coach, who signed a code of conducts, and works with children that is disgusting and unacceptable. Moreover Mr. Ramirez, it IS ILLEGAL!!

As far as that posting by "Fan of the Truth", it's shameful and ridiculous that friends of these gym owners like Undisputed Boxing Gym feel so at ease defending the corrupt, that they lie so blatantly and easily trying to defend and hide their corruption! Don't you know that the truth WILL eventually come out?

I was at "Undisputed Fight Nigh III", on October 11, 2008 (which shows you it's the THIRD, not first, ILLEGAL fight Undisputed Boxing Gym has thrown!!), where Eloy Ramirez's girlfriend, 50 year old Becky Carpenter, was the 1st fight of he night.

Becky "The Killer Bee" Carpenter, fought Jill "Outlaw Woman" Palmer. Becky received SO much punishment to the head from Jill "The Oulaw" Palmer that Undisputed Boxing Gym's "unlicensed referee" had to stop the fight on a "technical knock out"!! THAT is a KNOCK OUT! Luckily for Becky Carpenter, the stoppage likely saved Becky Carpenter from becoming the next Keith Benjamin!

Tell you what "Fan Of The Truth" (if anyone believes that!), IF that fight does not shortly make it as part of the t.v. news, I filmed the fights and I will be MORE than happy to post it on U Tube where "Fan Of the Truth", and everyone can enjoy watching it!! I'll make sure to put it under "Becky Carpenter's First and Last Illegal Fight!"

Maybe it'll serve as a lesson for others who are too old, untrained, and unlicensed to make the foolish mistakes that Becky Carpenter and Keith Benjamin made by thinking they had reason to get in that ring. Maybe, it'll prevent someone else from getting hurt?! And perhaps it will also inspire AND help REQUIRE "licensed USA Boxing" coaches like Eloy Ramirez to follow USA Boxing, State & Federal laws and not spar, or fight ANYONE who is not skilled in the basics of boxing, trained to defend themselves, NOR licensed to even be in that ring! Just as you ELOY RAMIREZ are morally, ethically, and LEGALLLY required to do!!

Juan

[who ever you want me to be!]

Juan,

Ease up, anyone can post whatever they'd on here without giving out their real names. I know Eloy and the man doesn't even know how to use a computer, let alone post a comment on a blog. Quit trashing the guy and if all this is true, then he'll pay for what he did, along with everyone else that was evolved.

Oh, BTW this is Eloy Ramirez! Not!

[chris jensen]

The fight night refered to in this discussion was a friendly fight night with most matches against people who know one another and train with one another using 18 ounce gloves. The girl was never even close to knocked out. Since it was a friendly night the match was stopped and the owners of the gym took no chances with anyone. The sparring in the ring was much much lighter than what you would see in a general sparring class in a martial arts studio with more protection to boot!! Eloy is a great guy who cares a great deal about the people around him unless they are harmful to others. Only part of the story is really out there. Please don't judge this story based on the fragments of reality put forth.

[Beat Box]

I think I recognize Keith Benjamin from a boxing boot camp I did at third street gym in SF. Sorry to see him pass on; he was a good guy.

I always had the feeling that third street gym was a bit fly by night... their training techniques seemed outdated, too likely to cause injury. They booked way too many people in the boot camp, so many that we couldn't use the punching bags at all, so we went directly to punching each other without any training in avoiding injuries.

One day a gym owner/instructor arrived late for class and while we were all waiting outside in the 6am cold, we saw him pull his blinged out six figure german car into the garage, and I realized these guys who started the gym must have some serious loans to pay back. I betcha their financial backs were up against the wall so they had to do these "shovel 'em in" boot camps and fights.

3rd street says that people don't get injured in their boot camps, but I saw several folks get seriously injured and was injured myself. And you can see on youtube that plenty of folks get injured in the big fight that caps the boot camp. Boxing is a noble sport for those who accept the risks, but it pisses me off that they hid the risks of boxing with them, potentially for monetary gain.

[Joe Smith LOL]

Hey Fake ELOY. I think Juan is really Ramona hiding behind this fake person named Juan.
I agree with you, She should back off. Let the guy live his life. If he did wrong then he will pay with the criminal justice. I think she is just bitter that she got kicked out of his GYM. And I agree with you. Eloy is a very nice person, so don't believe all that crap about him...

[Linko]

This blog is so funny to me, anyone can come her and type whatever they want and be who ever they want to be.. I like Eloy’s comment, the funny thing is he doesn’t know how to use a computer and could care less about someone bashing him on this. I will say this, Ramona Gatto leave Eloy alone. You must not have sh*& to do, oh wait you do. Fabricating all the lies getting everyone involve to ruin a good thing. No wait a minute, you probably just want everyone to feel sorry for you so they can sponsor Team Gatto and give you a free gym. You are nothing but a free loader who deceives people for your own benefit. People do not be fool by this woman, she is no good. Read this article this is the kind of person that she really is http://www.sfweekly.com/2003-07-02/news/san-mateo-confidential/ .

[boxing fan]

a person taking a boot camp course might not know better than to get in the ring.The TRAINER Should know better.It's HIS job.No good trainer would let a boxing student get in the ring without training hard for at least 3 months .And that is too soon for some trainers.So blame the trainer.At the end of boot camp sparing is put on to give a " show of blood" and instill more desire in the spectators.Why else would it happen? Amatuer boxing events are far and few.For boxers(not boot campers) to compete(which is the purpose of training) they take fights at shows where they can.Yes it is wrong to bet,drink,and have ring girls at events with young people.This should be outlawed. NOW! Also anyone throwing an illegal show is retarded.The sanctioning fee is minimal around $300 bucks to USA BOXING and that covers INSURANCE for the fighters.Also,Rev.Brown,who are you? Boxing is a MIX of races.And it is not all underprivelaged kids.Most gyms charge $50 month or more.CYC,Napa pal,Straight Forward Club,Redwood city pal,& Ring of fire do not charge.This is only a few! So Rev Brown drum up support so the clubs get the kids in the gym so we don't have to tell people the "kid turned his life around it's a shame he got shot". Or if promoters are getting fat,Pay the boxers.Why shouldn't they get some reimbursement for their equipment and training expenses.Others get college scolarships for their athletic sports isn't tuition Money? Put it in A USA BOXING Trust fund for the boxers.It's Available.USE it.Make it part of the sanction fee!!

[Victor Valencia]

Eloy Ramirez is an honorable man who taught me how to box at the age of 12, now I am 29 years of age, married and with two children. I want to start training my older son who is 7 with the best man to train my son, Eloy Ramirez.
People should acknowledge the community service work that Eloy gives our community rather than to blame him for what a person training in his Gym did. Eloy Ramirez cannot control the boxers outside of the ring in their own time. Instead of talking bad about Eloy consider giving him an award for all his years giving all his effort and expecting nothing in return.