Palm Bay, FL -- George Santiago founded what would become ROUND13 Boxing at Tony Rosa Community Center in 1978. Nearly half a century later, the club he built is still operating out of the same second-floor recreation room, still coaching kids, and still Brevard's oldest youth boxing program. On March 28, ROUND13 and Boxlite Promotions bring “The New Generation Pro-Am Boxing” to Tony Rosa with 15 to 16 bouts. Six or seven amateur fights and eight or nine professional matchups. Doors open at 4 PM, first bout at 5 PM, last bell around 11 PM.
Tickets range from $35 general admission to $100 front row. That is a long way from the $15 general admission when the club hosted “Champions in the Making: The Legend Continues” back in June 2021. The price jump reflects reality: limited sponsorships and donations, rising sanctioning fees, athlete registration costs, ambulance services, police support, and equipment rentals all add up.
From Fort Huachuca to Palm Bay
Johnny “Sarg” Hernandez runs the club now. He served as head coach of the U.S. Army Boxing Team before retiring at the rank of First Sergeant. He took the reins at ROUND13 and kept Santiago’s mission alive: give kids structure, discipline, and something productive to do after school. The club trains 40 to 60 members per year, operating Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 to 7:00 PM in partnership with the Palm Bay Recreation Department.
Since 1978, the program has mentored, inspired, and trained thousands of youth throughout Florida. That is not an exaggeration. Forty-eight years of consistent operation in the same building, same community, same mission. ROUND13 Boxing (officially Palm Bay Round 13 Boxing, Inc.) incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2015. Hernandez runs the program alongside volunteer coaches Denny Bennewitz, Frank Gentile, Allan Hernandez, and David Beals.
The Card
Orlando-based Boxlite Promotions and Entertainment, managed by Gonzalo Sapia, is co-promoting the event. Boxlite holds multiple events on record with the Florida State Athletic Commission and partnered with ROUND13 for an April 2025 card at the same venue.
Three of ROUND13’s own boxers will compete on the March 28 card. The rest of the fighters come from clubs across Florida. Tony Rosa Community Center seats up to 1,000, split between 200 ringside chairs and 800 bleacher seats. Tickets are available now at boxlitepro.com.
The New Generation
The event name is not just marketing. “The New Generation” represents the next chapter for ROUND13 after previous event series “Champions in the Making” and “Return of the Warriors.” The focus is on showcasing rising amateur talent and upcoming professional fighters moving up in weight and competition. Hernandez plans to host two to three events per year going forward.
Growing Year Over Year
Since opening their doors, they have hosted more than 25 boxing events. The trajectory tells the story. General admission has gone from $15 in 2021 to $25 in June 2025 to $35 for this card. Ringside jumped from $25 to $75. A new $100 front row tier did not exist before this year.
That kind of pricing only works when people keep showing up. They keep showing up.
If You Go
The New Generation Pro-Am Boxing Saturday, March 28, 2026 Tony Rosa Community Center 1502 Port Malabar Blvd NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905 Doors: 4:00 PM | First Bout: 5:00 PM Tickets: $35 GA / $75 Ringside / $100 Front Row Purchase at boxlitepro.com
For information about ROUND13 Boxing Club, call (321) 403-2595 or visit their Facebook page.
Sources
Johnny Hernandez, ROUND13 Boxing president (direct correspondence)
