Nave Goes for Second Round at Albert Park

The San Rafael Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing on whether to grant Marin County boxer Paul Nave a permit to hold a second boxing match at .

Nave, dubbed the “Marin County Assassin,” after the City Council approved his appeal for a permit. The event was approved as a one-time occurrence, so city staff could evaluate the impacts on the field and neighbors. As Nave heads in for another permit, the main concern for city staff is noise control.

The September 2011 boxing tournament seated around 900 attendees. Although there were no reported incidents related to the event and no damage to the facilities, there were complaints about the noise. According to the staff report (located on the right) most of the complaints were made at subsequent public meetings related to

Nave’s new permit application is asking to use Albert Field for a boxing match on Sept. 14. He anticipates that the event will draw between 1000 to 1200 attendees. 

In addition to the stadium seating for 800, three sections of chairs will be set up around the temporary boxing ring installed near the home plate area of the baseball field. Admission will be charged and gates are requested to open by 6:30 p.m. The event will end at 10:30 p.m. and break down of the equipment will require an additional two hours.  Beer, wine, and food will be sold and the field lights will be utilized, according to the staff report.

Last year, Nave’s initial request for a permit was denied by the Park and Recreation Commission. The proposal called for a three-hour boxing event beginning at 7 p.m. once a week,  and was denied due to concerns over availability of seating, possible damage to Albert Field as well as disturbance to neighbors in the area.

After collecting over 100 signatures of nearby neighbors supporting the project, and the fight took place as a one-time occurrence in September 2011.

The boxer,  who holds at least five World Boxing Federation welterweight titles, has organized professional boxing events at the Marin County Civic Center and Gnoss Field with his company Liberty Boxing Enterprises, LLC. He’s competed in professional fights since 1985 when he stepped into the ring with Chauncey Hayes at the Civic Center.

To abate any noise disturbance, Nave must utilize the facility’s public address system at the approved volume settings, and public announcements and music must stop at 10 p.m., according to the staff report.

The Park and Recreation Commission will hear the public’s opinion at their Thursday meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the at 618 B St.

“I liked last year’s event,” Gerstle Park neighbor Samantha Sargent said. Sargent lives on B Street across from the community center and said most people she’s talked to seem supportive of Nave’s plan.

“I don’t see why we can’t have another [boxing match] this year,” she said.