Gilbert Esquivel is what you would call a real "O.G." in the comedy world, especially in the Latino stand-up comedy scene. Gilbert started as an actor being an extra on TV shows and films. He is one of the most respected comedians around. He mostly does private shows today, but if you happen to hear he will be performing, go check him out! We had a great time talking to him on the podcast. Check out our new episode with Mr. Gilbert Esquivel !

If you don't recognize his face, you probably don't watch boxing too much. Jacob "Stitch" Duran is one of the most respected and popular cutmen in decades. He's even been on many films like all the Creed movies working Michael B. Jordan's corner in those films. Duran is from a small town in the Central Valley in California, Planada. Recently, he was inducted into the National Boxing Hall of Fame class of 2025. Check out his books and upcoming documentary. Cheers to "Stitch" Duran!

Many years ago, I had a boxing page called Oxnard IsBoxing in tribute to my local boxing community. At that time a Facebook friend stood out by the name of John Bray of Van Nuys, CA.  In time, we got to talk one-on-one about boxing and he would share his story in the sport. It was pretty amazing! At one time he was supposed to be the face of the sport. He was a young good looking “White-Latino” from Southern California that was supposed to be the prospect to take the heavyweight division by storm first in the amateurs and hopefully in the professional ranks thereafter. But it didn’t happen as planned. Through his admission in this interview, life and bad decisions got in the way. In his time, he got to work with some of the best of the best including the likes of Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, and Tommy Morrison just to name a few. Due to some injuries related to boxing he can no longer participate physically in the sport that he loves. But his love for the sport is still there and the people that remember him, love him. On June 22 of this year, he will be inducted into the WBC’s “Legends of Boxing Museum”. Congratulations, John! Well deserved. Check out our interview with Mr. John Bray!

It was a real honor to have legendary comedian/actor Paul Rodriguez on TheBoxingBar podcast recently for an "Outside the Ropes" episode. Paul is in the movie "Holy Cash" which was released in October featuring many familiar faces. You can watch it on "Must See Movies with Mario" (Lopez). We talked about his career, shows he did visiting prison, and his movies like D.C. Cab and Ali. Listen to what he is up to, and the new projects he is working on. Check this interview out!

Here is our new episode of TheBoxingBar podcast with ring announcer, Christian Schmidt. In this interview, Schmidt talks about all the announcing experience he has which includes pro wrestling, MMA, bare-knuckle fighting, and boxing shows. He is a real professional, and a great guy. If you don’t know who he is, get to know him as my cousin Ricky and I did during this interview. Thank you, Christian! Click the link below …

“Dangerous” David Rodela was a tough fighter from the Oxnard P.A.L.. Rodela was originally born in East Los Angeles but moved to Oxnard when he was about nine years old. Right before making his pro debut, Rodela walked into the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to get some sparring. Trainer Freddie Roach asked David what his height and weight was. David said he was close to 6 foot tall. Roach thought it would be good to put him with Manny Pacquiao who was there training for an upcoming fight with “El Terrible” Erik Morales. After the session Pacquiao asked David how many pro fights he had on his record. Rodela responded that he wasn’t a pro yet. The two became close friends and many years later Pacquiao help him pay for his current home in Oxnard as a gift. The two worked together in the gym for over thirteen years. Rodela fought many terrific fighters during his career including names like Kevin Kelley, Terence Crawford, Jorge Linares and Ronny Rios. David came on to say “Hi” to the fans of TheBoxingBar … Check it out!

Dr. Roger Anderson is the most popular chiropractor in Ventura County. His office on First Street in Oxnard neighbors the popular La Colonia Boxing Club and for decades he has helped the people in that area which is pretty much an all-Mexican community in the Eastside of town. In time, he started helping many of the fighters that were making some noise in the boxing community starting with Oxnard’s first world champion, Robert Garcia. Not only has he worked with local boxers, but many fighters from out of town that were here to train like Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez and Marcos “Chino” Maidana.  Today, you can still see him walking out with fighters during fight cards on TV to work their corner. Prior to this interview, I got a few short comments from both Robert Garcia and Fernando Vargas on what they think of the “Doc” which I read to him during this chat. Check out this interview to see why is a respected member of the local community, the local Mexican community, and the boxing community. Cheers to you Dr. Anderson! 

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Sindy “La Alacrana” Amador was a very tough fighter during her career. She made her pro debut on October 28, 2010. In her twelfth professional fight, she won the vacant IBA World Light Flyweight title against Amaris Quintana in 2013. Only two fights later, she was forced to retire due to a detached retina in 2014. Today, it would not be a surprise to see a female match on a televised boxing card but during her career it was rare. Amador was inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF) in Las Vegas earlier this year. The former still hits the gym as hard as ever to stay physically and mentally strong. A few months back, she came on TheBoxingBar podcast to tell her story about her journey in boxing. I also want to thank her husband, Paco Perez, for joining us during this conversation to share his point of view on his wife’s life and career of a fighter. Check out this interview!

“El Magnifico” Israel Vazquez recently passed away. Vazquez was an action-packed type fighter who never disappointed when it came to fight time. He had come on our podcast several months back. During the interview we discussed his life and career as usual. In this interview, he also explains his illness and all the symptoms leading up to the diagnosis in detail. In closing the interview, I asked him how he wants to be remembered to his fans. It was emotional hearing his response at the time, and listening to it today. Rest in peace, Israel. This interview was done in Spanish.