The public is welcome to pay respects to the late Alfonso “Al” Rodriguez, the founder of Rodriguez Boxing Club in Phoenix.
Rodriguez and his wife Carmen founded the local gym in 1961 at its original location downtown on Van Buren Street. Almost 40 years ago they moved a few miles down the road to their spot in the Grand Avenue Arts District section where Roosevelt Street intersects with both Grand and 15th avenues.
Rodriguez died July 6 at age 79. The mentor and coach touched generations of residents in the Valley over his lifetime in the boxing community.