Turning Up the Heat at Cinder City Days

Thursday, May 30, 2024
James Johonnott, photos by Andrea Paulseth | VolumeOne

GETTING IN THE SWING OF SUMMER. This year, Cinder City Days in Altoona will include a "Fuego Night" on June 8 featuring amateur boxing (left) and a performance by salsa singer Jimmy Rodriguez (right). (Background photo by Andrea Paulseth)

It's time to turn up the heat at this year's Cinder City Days! Savage Fit Box, an area boxing gym, will host Fuego Night, an amateur boxing tournament on Saturday, June 8. Savage Fit Box has worked with the Altoona Lions Club, the organizer of Cinder City Days, before on previous events and when approached about collaborating on an event for Cinder City Days, they were excited to be a part of it.

"We're really looking forward to bringing something new to Cinder City Days," said Molly Unmanski, manager at Savage Fit Box. "It'll be a first-time event for the area, and a unique cultural experience to bring the community together." Hector Pucheta started Savage Fit Box, the area's only dedicated boxing gym, in 2017. Since then it's become a staple of the area fitness scene.

In the Fuego Night Live Boxing Show, 40-plus fighters from around the state, including adults and kids ages 6-17, will compete using amateur boxing rules and safety equipment. 11 of the fighters are from Savage Fit Box's classes and will showcase what they've learned at the gym.

Following the event, musician Jimmy Rodriguez will perform a salsa concert. Rodriguez is one of the most recognizable names in salsa music and has performed around the world, transcending borders and culture.

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Fuego Night at Cinder City Days • Saturday, June 8 • Cinder City Park, Altoona • Boxing Tournament @ 5pm; $25 admission • Jimmy Rodriguez @ 7:30pm; $30 admission • $50 combo admission

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