Phoenix to honor boxing champ Michael Carbajal with streets signs
Phoenix will soon have street signs named after a world boxing champion.
Dozens of people showed up at Phoenix City Council chambers Wednesday to show support for Michael Carbajal. The Phoenix native won a silver medal in the 1988 Olympics and five world titles before being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“He is a legend, Arizona,” John Montoya said. “He gives these kids something to work for.”
In 1993, Carbajal opened the 9th Street Gym in the Garfield neighborhood where he grew up and still lives. Several residents shared stories about Carbajal’s community impact.
“I started amateur fighting with him. And it basically changed my life, you know, from doing bad to doing good now in life,” said Sergio Saldana.
“My son, he is so good with him, I’m sorry to get emotional, but he is such a good trainer,” said Angelica Roselle. “My son does so well with him and he respects him in every way.”
Former councilmember Mary Rose Wilcox recalled the reaction when Carbajal won a silver medal at the 1988 Olympics.
“The airport staff helped us get a room and get ready. It was already too small. Everybody came down. And then by the time we welcomed him and got to his neighborhood at Ninth Street, the street was packed with family and people. And everybody was just so proud of this young man who did the city proud,” she said. “But I think the greatest was the impact he had on the pride of our community, when our community could see that one of our own, was making it and making it and giving back to the community by helping youth.”
The council unanimously approved ceremonial signs for Michael Carbajal Way at the intersections of Ninth and Fillmore streets and 10th and Fillmore streets. A local family trust will fund the project.
