Roy Englebrecht, a distinguished figure in the world of fight promotion, has built a stellar reputation over nearly 36 years for delivering top-notch boxing and mixed martial arts events. Born in Newport Beach, California, Roy’s career spans various sports and business ventures, reflecting his innovative spirit and commitment to excellence.
Roy attended Brown Military Academy before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from John Brown University, where he is a member of their Sports Hall of Fame. He furthered his education with a Master of Education graduate degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State University. These academic achievements laid the foundation for a career marked by versatility and success.
As the CEO of SOCA Fights, Roy is a prominent fight promoter licensed in California, Nevada, Washington, and Texas. He is renowned for his “Battle in the Ballroom” boxing events at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, the longest-running pro boxing club show in the country, featuring 38 current or former world champions. In 2007, Roy embraced mixed martial arts, becoming one of the first boxing promoters to include the fast-growing sport.
In 2002, Roy’s expertise caught the attention of Oscar De La Hoya, leading to the acquisition of Roy Englebrecht Promotions and the launch of Golden Boy Promotions. As COO, Roy played a pivotal role in growing the company’s revenue from 1.5 million dollars in its first year to 9.1 million dollars by year three. His contributions to the fight business are widely recognized, earning him the title of “The King of Minor League Fighting.”
Beyond the fight business, Roy has been involved in minor league sports for over 40 years, including ownership of the California League Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Arena Football League’s Anaheim Piranhas, and the West Coast Hockey League’s Reno Rage. He also founded and operated Sportscaster Camps of America, the leading sports broadcasting training school in America with over 2,250 alumni. In 2024, Roy announced the launch of the Irrelevant Bowl, a unique concept pitting the two worst major college football teams in an end-of-season bowl game.
From 1975 to 1981, Roy served as Director of Promotions for the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, and all Forum events, where he developed The Laker Girls dance team. His contributions to sports and entrepreneurship have earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame, the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame, and the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame.
Roy has been married to Nancy, a retired real estate agent, for 53 years. They have two children: Allison West, a former college and pro volleyball player, and Drew Englebrecht, President at Englebrecht Promotions & Events. Roy’s dedication to sports, business, and community service continues to inspire those around him.
