The Beginnings

Team La Perla Boxing and MMA started in 2017, but was not started in a physical building until 2018. The gym started with the vision of Angela Magaña (Professional Boxer, MMA Fighter and Olympic Wrestler).  Magaña encouraged her trainer Gabriel Lamastus (Head Coach of Team La Perla Boxing and MMA), a former kickboxer, boxer, Taekwondo Black Belt and Behring Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt) to join her on her mission to build a gym.

Gabriel, as a young adult, began training Amateur and Professional boxers at the famous Bairoa Gym – home to 4- Division (only PR Boxer to ever win a World Title in 4 different Weight Divisions ) World Champion Miguel Cotto. Gabriel learned under Evangalista Cotto (Cotto’s uncle and first trainer) for 11 years, where he volunteered for his first 3 years as a Trainer, before he earned a paycheck. Gabriel studied the art of boxing as he became a boxing trainer in one of the best gyms in all of the Island, which is located in Caguas, PR – home to Miguel Cotto.

As Gabriel wanted to expand his knowledge for the sport, he continued to work as a Trainer at the Bairoa Gym. One day, in 2016, Gabriel met Angela Magaña, a Professional MMA Fighter (who was visiting Puerto Rico at the time) through his friend (Jorge Contreras). Angela and Gabriel became friends, and eventually Gabriel began training Angela. Almost 5 years later, the two have travelled the world.  From Angela competing in the UFC to Rizin (Japan), to her competing for a spot on the Puerto Rican Olympic Wrestling team, to making her Professional Boxing debut in 2020 at 37 years of age.

The road has not been easy. Hurricane Maria came and wiped the Island out in 2017. Angela suffered multiple injuries including 2 days in a coma in 2019, where she almost lost her life due to complications with Anesthesia post- back surgery.

When Gabriel and Angela first met, Angela trained (for an upcoming fight in the UFC, on a basketball court- with the help of Gabriel) in the local community of La Perla, located right in the heart of Old San Juan, PR. Team La Perla Boxing and MMA Gym was literally Gabriel and Angela, and some pads he held for her, a heavy bag, and a basketball court that provided an open space to train.

 Angela rented a small apartment in La Perla – a community many consider one of the most dangerous places on the Island. She had a vision to one day have her own gym and place for others to be able to come and train in combat sports.  There is a big misconception about La Perla, as any neighborhood can have its tough parts. Team La Perla wants to share with people that they must come and get a first hand experience of the community and they will come to learn that La Perla is quite a unique neighborhood, and truly a special place.

Through hard work and determination, Angela was on a mission to have a Gym she could call home. With the help of Jorge Contreras, the friend from which Gabriel and Angela met thru, Angela utilized her resources and with the help of  Jorge Contreras’ construction company, Team La Perla Boxing and MMA Gym was built. This included hands on work for hours on end daily, for Gabriel and Angela. They would stop at nothing to limit their vision to build a gym in one of the most underserved places on the Island- La Perla.

La Perla is a very unique community ran by the locals and is one of the most misunderstood neighborhoods in all of Puerto Rico. La Perla is considered dangerous to many but its a place of hidden talent in the arts, including local musicians, and artist, as well as surfers. People come from around the world to participate in various events in La Perla. Many people never see the beauty of the community due to its bad reputation as a scary or unsafe place due to gangs and drugs. La Perla is unique, and the community is one of trust, loyalty and honor. The beachfront of La Perla boast some of the best surfing competitions on the island.

Team La Perla Boxing and MMA is 501c3 nonprofit. We aim to serve the local youth in our community and serve as a safe place for the youth to come and learn discipline and challenge themselves physically and mentally through participation in combat sports.

We aim to bring hope and make a Difference in our community and gives those who want to learn about combat sports, the opportunity to do so. Boxing in Puerto Rico is part of the lifeblood of the Island. World champions bring hope and honor to our homeland. All the World Champions produced by the Island will always share that there is no greater honor than to carry the Flag of our beautiful Island to the ring, and represent the pride, culture and what it means to be Boricua – the term used to identify the Island’s Indigenous Indians.