Old stories with new faces. The story of the young man who started boxing to be distracted and keep busy in his free time and suddenly takes a liking to it and becomes his passion.
So writes his story John Bauza, a Puerto Rican who came from Isla del Encanto to New Jersey at the age of nine.
“I started boxing at 10 years old by following in the footsteps of my father, who had also been into boxing, but I liked it and after putting in dedication I came to know that boxing can be a good profession too,” says John.
Of course, to turn a hobby into a youthful dream and go from there to take it seriously to make it a reality has required a major effort with a lot of sacrifice involved.
“I study at Union City High School between 7:00 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon and when I return home he prepared me to train between 5:00 and 8:00 with my father, who is my coach. “Adds the teenager who has polished his talent and his physical condition at the Ring Side Gym in Jersey City and now at 5’8” (1.76 meters) and 141 pounds, he has become the most outstanding prospect in the category welterweight juniors in the United States.
A key moment
Facing a crucial year for his career, Bauza, who fights for the United States, started on the right foot in the US Nationals tournament held in Reno, Nevada, in the first week of January, where he became champion in his category by winning all five fights. that he had to face and, not happy with it, he was awarded as the best boxer of the tournament.
“It’s very exciting. It feels very good because it is seeing the fruits for which you strive, ”he adds while keeping in mind his participation in the youth world cup in Russia in October, a date that could well be the last in amateur boxing.
He does not hide a certain nostalgia for not having made it to the Rio 2016 Games.
“I couldn’t make the team because I’m under 18 years old, I meet them in April, but you had to have them at the end of the previous year,” he laments.
For now, and to give more flight to his dreams of champion, he is preparing to participate in the prestigious Golden Gloves from the month of March.
It is the dream of John Bauza, who as a child boxed to follow his father and now wants to be world champion. (Courtesy El Diario NY)
John Bauza wants to make the leap to professional boxing
