The World Boxing Council was honored to participate in Council District 13’s monthly Lens on Life film series, which hosted a special screening of The Corner, a powerful short film produced and directed by the LA84 Foundation, at the historic Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Los Angeles.
The evening brought together community leaders, athletes, coaches, and advocates to celebrate the positive impact that sport—particularly boxing—can have on young people’s lives. Through compelling storytelling, The Corner explores how a boxing gym can become much more than a place to train. It can be a refuge, a classroom, and a family that helps young people find confidence, discipline, and hope.
Following the screening, guests were invited to a thoughtful panel discussion featuring Andoni Elias Nava, Coach Daysi Garcia, Renata Simril, President and CEO of the LA84 Foundation, and Nancy Rodriguez of the World Boxing Council. Together, they reflected on the film’s powerful message and the importance of providing opportunities, mentorship, and safe spaces where youth can thrive through sport.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came with the special appearance of Former Champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios.
Speaking with remarkable honesty and emotion, Rios shared how deeply the film reflected his own life experiences. He spoke about the challenges he faced growing up and how boxing became the turning point that gave him direction, purpose, and ultimately changed his life. His heartfelt testimony reminded everyone that behind every champion is a story of perseverance and that the greatest victories often happen long before an athlete steps into a championship ring.
Coach Daysi Garcia spoke passionately about the responsibility of coaches to mentor young people beyond the sport itself, while Renata Simril discussed the LA84 Foundation’s commitment to expanding access to sports and the life-changing opportunities they create for children and families. Nancy Rodriguez highlighted the World Boxing Council’s ongoing commitment to community outreach through WBC Cares, emphasizing that the organization’s mission extends far beyond world championships by using boxing to inspire hope, build character, and strengthen communities around the world.
The evening served as a beautiful reminder that boxing is far more than competition. At its best, it is a vehicle for education, healing, resilience, and opportunity.
The World Boxing Council extends its sincere appreciation to Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez and Council District 13 for hosting this meaningful event as part of the Lens on Life series, to the LA84 Foundation for producing and directing The Corner, and to everyone who contributed to an inspiring evening dedicated to the transformative power of sport.
As The Corner so powerfully demonstrates, sometimes the most important victories are not won with punches—they are won by changing the course of a young person’s life.
