A famed Napa Valley winery better known for Cabernet Sauvignon than combat sports will transform into an outdoor fight venue this month, hosting a night of boxing and mixed martial arts to benefit retired fighters.
Napa Knockout comes to Raymond Vineyards, part of the Boisset Collection, in St. Helena on July 25, with bouts taking place in an outdoor ring set among the vines. The fundraiser will also feature premium wines, food trucks and a silent auction benefiting the California State Athletic Commission Fighter Pension Fund.
Scheduled guests include UFC Hall of Famer and former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, MMA pioneer Gina Carano, UFC and boxing veteran Nate Diaz, longtime promoter Scott Coker and unbeaten boxing contender Vergil Ortiz Jr.
There will also be meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with several of the athletes and personalities at the event, billed as the first of its kind on the Napa Valley floor.
Napa Knockout will feature several rounds of boxing and MMA action in an outdoor ring alongside premium wines, food trucks and a silent auction at Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena on Saturday, July 25. The event is a fundraiser for the California State Athletic Commission Fighter Pension Fund. (Boisset Collection)
Napa Knockout grew out of Raymond proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset’s longtime interest in boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts, he said in an email to The Press Democrat.
“I trained at a local studio here in Napa for many years and have seen the positive impact that the discipline, structure and competitiveness of training brings to young lives,” he said. “Indeed, our estate manager at Buena Vista Winery was once my teacher!”
Boisset teamed up with longtime friend and California State Athletic Commissioner Ron Fiore to organize the event. Proceeds from ticket sales, auction bids and donations will benefit the California State Athletic Commission Fighter Pension Fund, which supports retired combat athletes.
“California is the only state in the nation supporting the sport this way, and we are proud to contribute,” Boisset said.
Raymond Vineyards proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset hosts Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards in St. Helena on Saturday, July 25. The event is a fundraiser for the California State Athletic Commission Fighter Pension Fund. (Moanalani Jeffrey Photography)
The fight card features several top prospects in boxing, kickboxing and MMA, including two competitors with North Bay ties.
Windsor native and former NFL player Phil “Scooby” Wright (1-0) faces Redding’s Eddy Herrera (1-0) in a three-round amateur light heavyweight MMA bout.
Wright, 31, starred at the University of Arizona before playing linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals. He turned his focus to mixed martial arts last year and won his amateur debut with a first-round knockout in less than 10 seconds.
“I’m really excited about this next chapter,” Wright said in an email. “Martial arts has always been something I trained in during the football offseason. Now I’m excited to fully commit to this next path and see where it takes me.”
Wright said the opportunity to participate in Napa Knockout is “really special.”
“Throughout my football career, I always wanted to make big plays, bring excitement and put on a show,” Wright said. “That’s exactly what I’m looking to do here, go out, do my thing and show everyone what I’ve been working on with (trainer Gilbert Melendez and his team) the Skrap Pack over the last few months.”
Also on the card, Napa native Antonio Vasquez (1-1) faces Tre Orlando (7-0, amateur record) in a three-round lightweight MMA bout. The lineup also includes a three-round kickboxing match between Bay Area fighters Matt Baker (4-3-1) and Tony Charles (3-5), and a boxing exhibition featuring San Francisco Junior Olympian and 24-time national champion Marley McNealy (17-2, 5 KOs) against an opponent to be announced.
Beyond raising money for retired fighters, Boisset said Napa Knockout is an opportunity to introduce new audiences to Wine Country.
“Wine is culture, and celebrating wine in concert with sport brings new people and new occasions to the wine world,” he said.
IF YOU GO
What: Napa Knockout
When: Saturday, July 25. Doors open at 3 p.m.; fights begin at 5 p.m.
Where: Raymond Vineyards, 1584 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena
Admission: General admission tickets start at $500; ringside tickets are $1,000
Information: raymondvineyards.com/events/napa-knockout