TOUGH HOMBRES POSE FOR A SHOT AT GOLDEN CORRAL

(Ed.'s Note: The three tough hombres and their adult coach are none other than a few of the fledgling boxers who train under former professional boxers Cacho Avila and Eddie Vallejo at the Community Boxing Club in the Southmost area. The threesome is part of a contingent of about 25 kids who train under Avila, pictured at right. The club is a non-profit that has operated for the past 17 years training kids from the barrio. Avila said that local boxing hopefuls lost access to boxing when the Boys and Girls Club shut down and kids were left without a place to learn the pugilistic art. Avila estimates the club has been an incubator that has produced six to seven boxing coaches who have trained their own pupils. The fearsome trio above is (from left to right) Alan Cantu, Jose Vallejo and Brandon Rubalcava, part of what Avila calls the "New Generation" of Southmost boxers. They were part of a contingent being treated to a buffet at the Golden Corral Restaurant.)