Gym Rat: MVP Boxing
Story by Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Jose Leon Castillo
For coach Ruben Velasco, boxing is more than just showing up to the gym; boxing is about helping kids learn about life.
Velasco is the head coach of Most Valuable Pugilist Boxing team, better known as MVP Boxing. You can find the team practicing on a daily basis at the Jack Candelaria Community Center in Albuquerque’s San Jose neighborhood.
Velasco is originally from Grants, where he began his involvement in boxing fighting under Freddie Lucero as an amateur. After a short amateur career, Velasco began training his younger brother and some of his friends in 2004 to keep them out of trouble. It was not until 2008 that Velasco began training his sons, Isaac and Isaiah.
The Perez brothers have become a staple in the local amateur boxing scene. You will always find at least one of them fighting in the local shows. Isaac is 13 and Isaiah, 10. Besides his two sons, Velasco also trains 12- year-old Gabriel Gurrola and one other fighter who just recently joined the team.
MVP Boxing team has been able to participate in many amateur cards throughout New Mexico, thanks to coach Velasco and the team’s fundraising efforts. Velasco doubles as a handyman and boxing coach, the former being his full time job, though he is able to work around his schedule to train his athletes. Besides the training at Jack Candelaria Community Center, the team also has a home gym, but they prefer the atmosphere and competition at the community center.
“Boxing keeps me outta trouble, but I’m not that much of a troublemaker,” admits Isaac Perez, whose future goals include graduating from high school and becoming the first professional boxer in his family. Velasco expects his team to excel both in the ring and in the classroom. The kids work together to keep each other motivated in and out of the gym. They also have a consensus as to who their favorite fighter is, that being current pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao. For now the team is focused on enjoying their amateur career, while continuing to win at the many shows and tournaments they participate in on a yearly basis.
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