There's going to be a unique twist when the Bruno's Boxing Spring Invitational amateur boxing card is held tonight in the Stewart Gym.
A pair of 14-year-old 125-pounders, Carolina Hurtado of the Sparks Eagles and Mikaela Arce of the Arce Boxing Club in Reno, are going to be the headliners on the scheduled 15-bout amateur card. While bouts between females are nothing new to amateur boxing in Northern Nevada, a main event is something special, according to Victor Bruno, who is putting on the card as a fund-raiser for his Bruno's Boxing Club.
"It's the first main event in Carson City that I know of and I've never seen one in Reno or Sparks," Bruno said.
This is no gimmick, either. These two have earned their shot at the limelight.
"I'm confident in them, They're both experienced, they've had more than six fights, and they're from good boxing clubs," Bruno said, adding that both represent clubs that are managed by their fathers -- Francisco Hurtado of the Eagles and Manuel Arce of Arce Boxing.
"They have a good rivalry going. It's going to be a good fight," Bruno said.
Action is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in the former Stewart Indian School Gym, which served as the site for the U.S. Olympic Trials Western Regionals in 1976.
Clubs from around Northern Nevada, including the Carson City Boxing Club, are expected for the show, in addition to Full Circle Boxing from Klamath Falls, Ore., and clubs from Stockton and Atwater in Central California.
Tonight's semi main event will feature a heavyweight bout, according to Bruno.
Six fighters from the host Bruno's Club are tentatively lined up for the card: Hal Guerrero (180 pounds), Tino Guerrero (160), Sam Rojas (120), Jesus Mariquez (140), Santo Bruno (147) and Chuey Elizondo (119). Elizondo was a runner-up in his 14-year-old 119-pound class at the USA Boxing National Championships earlier this year. And 18-year-old Santo Bruno was a qualifier for the Nevada State Golden Gloves Championships in March.
Admission at the door tonight will be a $5 donation for adults and $1 for children under 12.
"I just hope people come out because it's going to be a good boxing show," Victor Bruno said. "The matches look good. I think it will be fun."
The card will be aired on Carson Access Cable, courtesy of Gala Productions, according to Vic Bruno, who added thanks to the Nevada Highway Patrol and POST programs. "They've done a lot to support boxing at Stewart," Bruno said.
The primary sponsor for the card is the Sausage Factory.