LAPD Deputy Chief Jason Wardlow Herrera, left, wins his match against Manny Gallegos during a charity fight in March in Albuquerque. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
LAPD Deputy Chief Jason Wardlow Herrera with his son Jordan following his winning fight in March at Rumble in Rio in Albuquerque. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Deputy Police Chief Jason Wardlow-Herrera will put his gloves on again Saturday night at Buffalo Thunder for 911 Rumble, a charity boxing event to raise funds for Boys & Girls Clubs in Northern New Mexico. Wardlow Herrera, 38, most recently competed in March in the Rumble in Rio event in Albuquerque.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe/Del Norte Executive Director Roman Abeyta said he is delighted that Wardlow Herrera agreed to fight. Weigh-in is 4 p.m. Friday at Buffalo Thunder and 10 bouts consisting of three two-minute rounds will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Abeyta said he expects Wardlow Herrera to do well because he is a “brawler” who gets right in there. He said some of Saturday’s fighters are being trained by Holmes Boxing in Santa Fe but that Wardlow Herrera is training in Los Alamos. Wardlow Herrera says he will fight in the heavyweight division and expects to weigh in at 225 lbs. His son, Jordan, a student at Pinon Elementary School, is excited and proud of him for participating in the event.
“My son is my little manager. When I was asked to do this fight, he told me he was taking me out of retirement even though he says I am getting a little too old to fight. My son is my life, we do everything together, and I can’t imagine life without him,” Wardlow Herrera said.
Wardlow Herrera is the athletic director of the Los Alamos Football League and coaches wrestling, basketball and baseball. He says he never boxed until he fought in the Rumble in Rio in 2011.
Abeyta said the Buffalo Thunder venue can accommodate 1,600 people and the event will be run with all the traditional features of boxing competitions, which promises to make this an exciting evening. He said ticket sales have been amazing but that he has reserved a block of tickets for those who just want to show up the night of the fights.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe/Del Norte is made up of eight clubs in Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties, including clubs in Abiquiu, Chimayo and Santa Cruz. The aim of the clubs is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
“I am happy to box in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs because I believe in the training they provide young people in citizenship, leadership and community responsibility as well as sports, fitness and healthy lifestyles,” Wardlow Herrera said. “I hope people will show up to cheer on all the competitors and get behind our young people in Northern New Mexico.”
For more information, call 505.919.9722.