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It
is at the local boxing gyms where the boxing contenders undergo
a rigorous training program in preparation for their boxing
competitions at the HP pavilion and elsewhere around the boxing
globe. Boxers are trained under a head coach who spends
countless hours demonstrating to them a strategic plan that will
take a fighter to a victorious finish. The head coach usually is
the same guy you see in the fighter’s corner during a
prizefight. A
fighter will possess within himself or herself the elements of
stamina, vitality, and the mental drive to engage in fierce
fighting. But there is much more to be understood when the fight
involves stiff competition. This is why the art of strategy
becomes an important focus in the competition.
Even though a fighter may deliver the right cross
swiftly, or simply possess the wallop punching power to end a
fight early, it is the strategy of where, when, and how to
deliver these blows which often comes from the boxing coach.
In general military terms, the boxer is like the special
fighting soldier engaged in a battle while the coach is the
General George Patton of the bout. The emphasis of delivering a
clinical performance in an artistic boxing fashion is become the
objective of the battle. The coach is the teacher responsible
for seeing this boxing lesson through therefore adhering to your
coach’s instructions is often your map to victory.
This
is why I bring up three local boxing coaches in San Jose who
deliver 76 combined years of boxing experience to young and
motivated fighters. The first coach I want to bring to your
attention is local amateur boxing veteran and referee,
Candelario “Candy” Lopez of San Jose. Candy is Chairman of
the committee of coaches for the State of California and
currently is head coach to the Santa Clara University boxing
team. Candy is also a level 4 coach for the international
Olympic Committee Organization. Before all of this, Candy was a
competitive amateur boxer for 25 yrs, from 1968 through 1993.
Today he is head of the Police Athletic league’s amateur
boxing gym at 681 N. First St., in San Jose. Since 1979, Candy
has been successful in training talented young fighters who have
taken up boxing professionally which includes former Olympians
Rocky Juarez and Jose Navarro.
Candy, along with his two assistant coaches (TJ
Trujillo), welcomes all youths to visit his gym and receive
world-class instructions in amateur and professional boxing.
Among future prospects currently training under Candy Lopez is
National Golden Gloves champion Jose Perez Jr. The second coach
I bring to your attention is local professional kick boxer and
trainer, Javier Mendez of San Jose. Javier has been the head
coach of American Kick Boxing Academy since 1986 when it began
in a glass shop warehouse on Capitol Expressway, San Jose. His
gym today is settled in the Cambrian area, 1830 Hillsdale Ave.,
San Jose. Javier for 10 years fought professionally in full
contact Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Thai boxing. Javier has won two
world titles under the International Sport of Karate
Association. Javier, along with a dozen assistant coaches,
offers instruction in conventional boxing, kickboxing, Thai
boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and full
contact Karate at his San Jose gym. The gym also has classes for
children under a Mixed Children Martial arts program. Among the
students at his academy have been light heavyweight contender
Cecil McKenzie, welterweight Gary Owens, and heavyweight David
Vedder. Javier was
also a lead trainer to Frank Shamrock, BJ Penn, and Jean Claude
Leuyer. The third coach that comes to mind is Frank Lopez, who
leads the San Jose Boxing Club located at 2055 Alum Rock Ave,
San Jose. Frank
currently trains super middleweight boxer, Ricardo Cortes, whom
we all know has been featured here at the HP Pavilion. Frank has
been involved in boxing instruction since 1968, when boxing was
taught under M.A.C.O. (Mexican American Community Organization)
at the corner of Bird Ave and Virginia Ave., San Jose. The
boxing gym was called, ‘Aguila Boxing Club’.
The boxing gym continued to move about San Jose to
accommodate as many youths - and Frank went wherever the gym
went. Frank
remembers seeing the gym move and undertake various names such
as, ‘North Side Boxing Club’, and then ‘Eastside Boxing
Club.’ The gym recently has been relocated and has taken up
the name, The San Jose Boxing Club. Frank, along with three
assistant coaches, welcomes young motivated athletes to train
inside his gym whether amateur or professional boxing. Among
professional fighters who trained under Frank included Gerardo
Martinez (bantamweight).
While
Candy Lopez has been coaching for 25 years, and Javier Mendez
for 15 years, and Frank Lopez for 36 years, San Jose residents
have become fortunate to choose from anyone of these leading
coaches. I hope
someday to see a fighter emerge out of one of these boxing gyms
to become the next world renowned Golden Boy if you will.
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