BOXING A HIT WITH AREA YOUTHS\Newhall center will sponsor show Sunday.

Byline: Laurence Darmiento Daily News Staff Writer

When the city agreed in 1994 to sponsor a boxing program at its new community center in East Newhall, some questioned the propriety and worthiness of employing a violent, contact sport to counter gangs and juvenile delinquency.

Two years later, the questions may remain unanswered for some, but at least this much is clear - the program has been a resounding success among its participants.

On Sunday, the club will sponsor its second boxing show in less than six months, and boxers from as far away as San Diego and San Luis Obispo are expected to attend.

"I love to box. It builds confidence," says Hector Guizar, a Newhall 15-year-old who fights in the super lightweight division. "I've lost 10 pounds in two weeks for the fight. I just sweat it all out. I'm just going to see how far this all takes me."

The program, which has attracted about 30 youths, gobbles up about half the space at the San Fernando Road community center. A tarp hangs from the wall of the former furniture outlet, separating the sweating boxers from younger children playing games and tinkering with donated computers.

Behind the tarp, music blares from a boom box as two fighters spar in the blue canvas ring under the constant gaze of a trainer. Outside the ring, boxers punch heavy bags, jump rope and lift weights, while others watch reruns of last weekend's Mike Tyson-Frank Bruno fight.

"It's going great," says Larry Pope, a part-time professional boxer who runs the program. "We even had a bunch of women who came in and are interested in boxing.

"What we need now is greater participation from all over Santa Clarita. Most of the people we have here now are from Newhall, and we have people who come up here from the San Fernando Valley. They hear it's a good place to train."

The club held its first show in November and drew a standing-room-only crowd that packed the center. That kind of crowd is expected once again for Sunday's event, which is sanctioned by the U.S.A. Amateur Boxing Federation.

Fought under amateur rules, the bouts will each be three rounds in length, with all boxers wearing protective head gear. Even losers will get a trophy as will the fighter voted best of the day.

"They have done a great job," says Jeff Kolin, a deputy city manager who also heads the community's Anti-Gang Task Force. "From the task force's perspective it has done a fine job in offering a positive activity for youth. That is an important thing in prevention.

"These are activities that teach social skills, how to make decisions, how to resolve conflicts without resorting to harming someone else. Yes it is boxing, a contact sport, but it's in a safe, supervised environment."

The boxing show is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. with weigh-ins from 9 until 11 a.m. Seating is limited and a $2 donation is requested. For information, call [phone].

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Photo (1--color in SAC edition only) John Costello, front left, and part-time professional boxer Larry Pope run the youth training program at the community center in Newhall. (2--color in SAC edition only) Donny Magana will compete Sunday. The boxing show will begin at 1 p.m. and a donation is requested. Tom Mendoza/Daily News