By Staff Writer: Madison Lawson
A place where someone can learn to not only channel their anger or discomfort but also learn valuable life lessons is in a boxing ring. This sport requires direct dedication from the boxer. The coach is their motivator. The coach’s job is to teach the fighter how to be agile, to hit the hardest, and to take a brutal hit confidently. Along with learning the physical aspects, boxers learn early on that not every fight will end in their favor but will know they tried everything in their power. Losing and winning a fight both provide areas for improvement. Boxing matches allow a boxer to learn what they can do better. This sport enables people to understand their true potential and to build mental and physical strength.
During a boxing event in Clovis, NM, I learned about the perspectives of a coach and three of his fighters. Edgar Zubia is Bad Boyz Boxing Club coach in Hobbs, NM. He takes pride in helping the young men and women in his boxing club learn discipline and keeps them working their hardest to have the best results in the ring. His fighters explained that he holds all of them to a high standard and will not allow them into the ring if they do not show they are mentally and physically ready. All three fighters won their matches and were very happy with their accomplishment.
When asked about boxing, his son, Edgar Zubia Jr., aged 15, said, “It [boxing] teaches a lot of life lessons… it’s a rollercoaster. It goes up, and then it’s down here.” He continued, “This game is a bunch of mental…it’s mostly mental instead of the physical attributes.”
Jario Hernandez, aged 19, also responded, “It [boxing] shows you how tough you really are because it’s just you and the other opponent. No one else.” This event was Jario’s first win. He described it as “I’ve never felt so alive. I’ve been putting hard work into the gym. And, like I said, you can’t play it. You gotta be focused.”
Donika Espinoza, aged 13, also won her fight and was very happy. She said, “I feel great. I’m two and three right now. I want to keep on getting more belts.” She has been boxing since she was young and took a break for some time. Recently, her coach has motivated her to stay in boxing because he knows she harnesses impressive potential for a career in boxing. When asked about a future career in boxing, she said she could see herself participating in boxing till her twenties but envisions her actual career as a professional basketball player.
Boxing is a serious sport that requires someone to be dedicated and keep their ambitions high, even when they lose. This sport relies on the endurance of the competitors, mentally and physically. Having a steady motivator and expecting better results from every fight is one of the best ways to be a good boxer. This sport teaches someone how to be self-reliant, can help boost their confidence, and helps them learn valuable life lessons through winning and losing.