Title fight

For sale: A commercial property and adjoining house that have a significant place in the sports and cultural history of Sacramento. The Capitol Boxing Gym on Stockton Boulevard has been a home to hundreds of aspiring boxers—some who have fought their way to the top and others who simply have enjoyed the sparring and camaraderie. It comes with a sturdy ring and a building that held the hopes and dreams of neighborhood kids. You will have a client base, but you must provide your own boxing characters and stories.

For 35 years, Joe Guevara and his family have operated the venerable gym, but now they must move to accommodate their aging mother, so they closed the gym last month and put it up for sale. So far, no takers. At least none with more cash than bravado. And that’s too bad, because every city needs a place where kids struggling to stay out of trouble can find a place to vent and get some guidance.

Guevara had his rules, such as no gang colors displayed, no “crazy-ass rap music” and no crack (the kind at the top of your butt) from “sagging” your pants down too low. He wouldn’t allow cursing, and if you wanted to box on his team, you’d better have decent grades.

But plenty of pugilists followed the rules and slugged their way to the top, including pros Bobby Chacon and Sal Lopez. They certainly were aware of the reputation of Richard “Trino” Savala (see “Requiem for a featherweight”). As Chrisanne Beckner tells us, he was a banger who could go the distance.

Let’s hope the same can be said for the Capitol Boxing Gym.