What do pizza and boxing have in common? In Little Italy, they come together for Punches in the Piazza, the annual amateur boxing showcase honoring Hall of Fame promoter Bobby DePhilippis.
The third-annual event, created in 2023, returns Friday, Sept. 12, to its original home in the heart of the Piazza della Famiglia, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Filippi’s Pizza Grotto in San Diego.
Sanctioned by USA Boxing and presented by Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, Punches in the Piazza will feature 12 three-round bouts with some of Southern California’s top amateur boxers. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased online at BobbyDE.org. VIP seats and ringside tables are limited and available by calling 619-420-8866. The Piazza della Famiglia is located at 523 W. Date St., San Diego.
Bobby DePhilippis, who passed away in September 2022 at age 72, was a renowned Hall of Fame boxing promoter and longtime restaurateur. Known to many as “Bobby D,” he grew up in Little Italy and served as president of Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, a business his grandparents founded. Beyond boxing and restaurants, DePhilippis was recognized for his philanthropic work in the community. To continue his legacy, his daughter Michelle established the Bobby D. Foundation, which supports local schools and cultural programs, according to a news release.
The inaugural Punches in the Piazza raised $40,000 for Washington Elementary School, $3,000 for the Little Italy Association, and $3,000 for Convivio. Last year’s event, held on the Washington Elementary campus, added another $25,000 to benefit the school and its students.
Washington Elementary, a local STEAM magnet, serves a high percentage of students from families experiencing homelessness. The Little Italy Association, a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation founded in 1996, oversees neighborhood revitalization and beautification, while Convivio advances Italian cultural preservation, community engagement, and the arts.
To purchase tickets or support the Bobby D. Foundation, visit BobbyDE.org or call 619-420-8866.
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