• Young fighters in the ring, set up on a city street, with tall buildings visible in the background, for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event. Spectators surround the ring and lights are strung overhead.
    Young fighters in the ring set to spar on the street in Little Italy, (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Young fighters in the ring, set up on a city street, with a residences visible in the background, for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event. Spectators surround the ring.
    A young fighter in the ring, set up on the street in Little Italy, throwing a punch. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Young fighters in the ring, set up on a city street, with residences visible in the background for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event.
    A determined amateur fighter is ready for his opponent. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Young fighters in the ring, set up on a city street, with residences visible in the background for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event.
    Punches in the Piazza benefits the Bobby D Foundation and local recipients. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Young fighters, along with a referee, in the ring, set up on a city street, with residences visible in the background, for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event. Spectators surround the ring.
    A referee watches as the fighters prepare to engage in the middle of Little Italy, (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Young fighters in the ring, set up on a city street, with residences visible in the background for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event.
    The fighters take each other’s measure. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • A young fighters in the ring, set up on a city street, with an urban building visible in the background, for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event. Spectators surround the ring and referees wait while trainers talk to a fighter.
    Pausing for trainers to advise an athlete. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Young fighters in the ring, set up on a city street, with a hotel visible in the background for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event. Spectators surround the ring.
    Punches in the Piazza continues under the U.S. and Italian flags. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • A young fighter in the ring with two trainers, in view of a city street, with residences visible in the background for the Punches in the Piazza amateur boxing event.
    A break in the action. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Silent auction prizes from the San Diego Padres and more are presented in frames at the Punches in the Piazza event.
    Silent auction prizes from the San Diego Padres and more (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Many folding chairs stand outside a makeshift ring amidst buildings. Organizers are setting up the Punches in the Piazza event with a U.S. and Italian flag visible on the left.
    Everything is ready for Punches in the Piazza. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)
  • Folding chairs and small tents amidst buildings under a banner that spans the width of a street. Organizers are setting up the Punches in the Piazza event with a U.S. and Italian flag visible beneath the banner.
    Set up for Punches in the Piazza. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)

Punches in the Piazza, the annual amateur boxing showcase honoring Hall of Fame promoter Bobby DePhilippis, was a little more special this year.

The third-annual event returned Friday to its original home in Little Italy’s Piazza della Famiglia, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Filippi’s Pizza Grotto.

Sanctioned by USA Boxing and presented by Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, Punches in the Piazza featured 12 three-round bouts with top amateur boxers.

“The ring is set, the energy’s high, and it’s all for a good cause,” Little Italy officials said on Instagram.

DePhilippis, who died in 2022 at age 72, was a Hall of Fame boxing promoter and longtime restaurateur, known to many as “Bobby D.”

He grew up in Little Italy and served as president of Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, the business his grandparents founded. Punches in the Piazza benefits the foundation named in his honor, with support going to local schools and cultural programs.

The restaurant, a local favorite, has locations throughout the county, including in Kearny Mesa, Pacific Beach, Chula Vista, Poway and Imperial Beach.

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