Category Archives: Duke’s Boxing

Local Boxing Gym Reopens

David Martinez, DMBoxing News, dmboxing.com, Duke's Boxing

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

After a three month closure due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Pandemic, owner Henry Calles has now officially reopened Duke’s Boxing and Fitness, 6655 Trigo Road, Isla Vista, California 93117.

He has respectfully made it safe with all health requirements in place for everyone, the number #1 requirement being that all must wear a mask while in the gym.

Duke’s Boxing has been serving the Santa Barbara, California area since November 1, 2005 with outstanding group classes and private lessons in boxing.

Continue reading Local Boxing Gym Reopens →

Local Boxing Gym Closes Temporarily and The Effectiveness of – The Jab

David Martinez, DMBoxing News, dmboxing.com, Duke's Boxing

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

The unprecedented outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has resulted in owner Henry Calles temporarily ceasing operations at Duke’s Boxing and Fitness, 6565 Trigo Road, Isla Vista, California 93117. To say that I will miss the workouts and coaching the kids is truly an understatement.

Through the years I have always told our kids “the jab is the most important punch in boxing”.

A jab is the lead punch and isn’t commonly referred to as a power punch. However, there are many boxers who have had such powerful jabs, they might as well be considered power punches. One who is tops in this category was Sonny Liston.

Continue reading Local Boxing Gym Closes Temporarily and The Effectiveness of – The Jab →

Oscar Mendoza – The Opportunity Arrives!

David Martinez, DMBoxing News, Duke's Boxing, Upcoming Fights

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

At our local Santa Barbara area boxing gym, Duke’s Boxing and Fitness, we have had many kids come in to learn boxing at its best.

In 2014 one of those kids, Oscar Mendoza walked in. At first he  just blended in with the others, but after a few months owner and former pro boxer Henry Calles and I noticed something special about Oscar. What stood out was his unbelievable dedication and work rate.

But, the thing that really got everybody was his willing to help others in the gym in a positive way to learn boxing. The amazing thing was that he was in the gym every day while working a full time job.

Continue reading Oscar Mendoza – The Opportunity Arrives! →

Henry Calles – Ending a Professional Career

David Martinez, Duke's Boxing

Henry Cover

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

My friend, Henry Calles, officially ended his professional boxing career by announcing in March 2016 his retirement from the ring after a four bout and three year tenure.

Henry, a successful amateur boxer in his younger days, and owner of Duke’s Boxing & Fitness Gym in Isla Vista, California turned to his lifetime dream of becoming a professional boxer in the summer of 2013. At the age of 36, many including myself, knew it would be against the odds starting at such a late age. Most boxers at this age are considering retirement or have completed their careers. The key element in Henry’s favor was that he was a youthful, well preserved boxer at a late age.

Boxing is like no other sport, as your diet, lifestyle, and superior conditioning are most essential in your everyday life, with training usually six days a week. Trips to Ventura, Oxnard and Los Angeles for sparing sessions to achieve top quality is a must and a huge part of training.

Continue reading Henry Calles – Ending a Professional Career →

Henry Calles Fights To (Another) Sensational DRAW

David Martinez, Duke's Boxing, Recent Fights, Video

HC 1

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

Last Saturday night, November 28, 2015, Henry Calles (1-0-3) fought Lucius Johnson (2-0-1) to a majority draw at the Los Angeles Westin Bonaventure.

HC 5

I was a second in Henry’s corner and so certainly had the best ringside seat in the house to clearly see it wasn’t a draw and I did not agree with the judge’s scorecards. Their scores were 39-37 in favor of Calles, with the two other judges scoring it identical 38-38 … my score was 39-37 … three rounds to one for Calles.

Continue reading Henry Calles Fights To (Another) Sensational DRAW →

Henry Calles – next fight

Boxing Events, California Boxing, David Martinez, DMBoxing News, Duke's Boxing, Upcoming Fights

OC - 5

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

On November 28, this month, our local Santa Barbara boxer Henry Calles (1-0-2) has his upcoming fight in Los Angeles, California against Lucius Johnson (2-0) in a middleweight / super middleweight bout at a catch weight of 165 pounds and scheduled for four rounds. NOTE: middleweights fight at 160 lbs. and super middleweights fight a 168 – so this fight is in between and agreed upon by both fighters.

Continue reading Henry Calles – next fight →

Upcoming Fight Card – Los Angeles

California Boxing, David Martinez, DMBoxing News, Duke's Boxing, Upcoming Fights

Nov 28

On behalf of Duke’s Boxing and Our Team – Veronica Calles, Sarah Cammann, Oscar Gracia Jr., Oscar Gracia Sr., and yours truly, we would like to alert everyone that our professional boxer Henry Calles (1-0-2) has a scheduled 4 round middleweight / super middleweight fight at a catch weight of 165 pounds vs. Lucius Johnson (2-0) on Saturday, November 28, 2015. The fight card will take place at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, California 90071.

Continue reading Upcoming Fight Card – Los Angeles →

Henry Calles fights to a “sensational” DRAW

David Martinez, Duke's Boxing, Recent Fights

OC - 1

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

After two months of serious training and a disappointing postponement of his fight scheduled for Simi Valley two weeks earlier, Henry Calles moved on to a larger venue and tougher opponent on Thursday, June 11, 2015.

The Hangar at The Orange County Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa, California, was the site.  The nine-bout fight card was attended by a standing room only crowd of 1600 plus fans. The card was promoted by Roy Englebrecht / Fight Club OC.

OC - 8

The opponent for Henry would be local favorite Reece Bennett in a super middleweight bout, scheduled for four rounds.

OC - 2

As a member of Team Duke’s working Henry’s corner, it was an honor for me to be in such good company for the fight along with trainers Oscar Gracia Sr., Oscar Gracia Jr., and team manager Sarah Cammann.

Continue reading Henry Calles fights to a “sensational” DRAW →

Henry Calles – upcoming fight

David Martinez, Duke's Boxing, Upcoming Fights

Henry pic
By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

The return to the ring of our Team Duke’s boxer, Henry Calles,  will take place THIS Saturday, May 30th, in Simi Valley, California.

The super middleweight (168 pounds) bout is scheduled for 4 rounds against Brian True.  Other bouts will also be featured in this live show of professional boxing.

Henry pic

A Santa Barbara, California native, Henry is ready and focused for this – his third pro fight.  Your support for Henry is much appreciated and hopefully we will see you at the fights.

Continue reading Henry Calles – upcoming fight →

ISLA VISTA SCREEN PRINTING

David Martinez, DMBoxing News, dmboxing.com Products, Duke's Boxing, T-Shirts, tank tops

IV - 1

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com 

IV - AI must recognize my friends at Isla Vista Screen Printing for their outstanding service.  Co-owner’s Garrett Gerstenberger and Jose Cardoso offer top quality attire. If you are in the Santa Barbara, California area, a must is to stop in and say hello, and to view a wide selection of their custom clothing line.  BTW ~ Garrett’s birthday is next week on November 8, wishing him a pre-Happy Birthday.

I am delighted to say that they are the makers of the T-shirt apparel that you can purchase right here on my website.

They are conveniently located (next door to Duke’s Boxing Gym – who they also provide clothing apparel for) in the student community Isla Vista, nearby the University of California Santa Barbara:  6565 Trigo Road, Isla Vista, CA 93117 and can be reached by phone (805) 845-1333 … email address: islavistascreenprinting@yahoo.com or visit their website www.theIVSP.com

clothing 2clothing 3clothing 1

For viewing of www.dmboxing.com t-shirts, go to the Categories section and click onto T-shirts and tank tops.