Redwood boxing for recreation

By Zach Mayer

In the middle of their neighborhood, the next generation finds fun, fitness, and a future. 

The neighborhood of Redwood has been described by its residents as rough. Redwood struggles with poverty, crime, and other social hardships, but there is hope.

 Despite these struggles, there are youth in Redwood who see a future for themselves and feel motivated by such a hope. These boys and young men find personal motivation in boxing.

Joel Saldana.
Owner and head coach of the boxing gym in Redwood.
Photo taken by Zach Mayer. 

"I had this gym for about seven years, but I've been in this area for about a year," said Joel Saldana, the founder and owner of the Redwood boxing gym. "Some guy approached me when I had a gym in town and told me there was a place out here that we wanted to turn into a boxing gym. And he wanted to know if I wanted to move out here a cheaper rent."

Joel did move. He checked out an unused warehouse in the middle of the neighborhood and turned it into a boxing gym. At that point all he needed was members.

"I started looking around and I saw a lot of kids walking around and stuff and doing nothing or getting in trouble," said Saldana.

He invited the kids in to his gym and started to teach them how to box. Saldana saw this as a way to make a positive impact in their life, as well as to build and preserve good character in a neighborhood that he doesn't think is great for kids. He said the hobby keeps the boys busy and off the streets, as well as keeping the older guys out of the local gangs.

Saldana has a son who is in boxing, that shares his passion for the sport. He now puts his effort not in himself, but in building up his son and the rest of the young men who are part of the gym.

Saldana keeps a busy schedule. He wakes up at 2 in morning for his job as a truck driver, comes to the gym in the evening, and finally goes to bed around 9p.m.. He does not get paid for coaching. Those who pay to box only pay for the building rent and equipment, everything else comes from donations.

Saldana now has a team of 12 amateurs boxers ranging from 8 years old to 24 years old and has one professional boxer. At least 13 guys have started competing nationally.

Two boys  practicing.  Photo taken by Zach Mayer.

 "The youngsters I have right now, I've taken them to state, they competed on a national level," said Saldana. "We had about three to four championships. I have a 10-year-old who is No. 2 . in Texas, he has 35 fights. I have another 12-year-old. He's like No 4 in the nation. He has 45 fights."

 One 12-year-old is Roman Ruiz. He has been boxing for almost 6 years. In that time, his hobby has changed his character and encouraged him to stay motivated in life.

"Before I started boxing I was getting in trouble in school, I was doing all this stuff that was bad,"'said Ruiz. "And once I got into boxing it kind of settled me down, and I started doing the right thing, and I started getting very good grades, and here I am with all A's."

He has already been to nationals, won state, but lost at nationals. Ruiz hopes to go to the olympics one day, and then make boxing his profession.

The boxing ring. Photo taken by Zach Mayer.

Another young boxer is Jefet Manauth, who is 15 years old. He says that it's been a year and a half since boxing became a hobby. Manauth plans on competing in regional and national competitions, including silver gloves, and golden gloves.

"I get to do exercise, like my only form of exercise, I don't get to do a lot in school," said Manauth. "I've gotten healthier, it's a way to have fun for me. I don't just go home after school and just go sit play video games or anything. I come here, I work out."

 Jose Romero is a father of two sons who are being trained to box by Saldana. In the last 18 months he has seen the health of his sons improved significantly. One of his sons had weight issues and asthma before he started to box, but that gradually improved after training that conditioned his health.

"Now the asthma seems to be disappearing a little, no longer needs an inhaler," said Romero.

According to Romero, training for boxing has given his sons discipline and dedication, which has manifested in school and in their life at home. Like some of the other young boxers, his sons are training for national completions, including the junior Olympics. Romero's dedication has been strengthened as a parent, as well as his sons, and his support is given to them.

Jerimie Rodriguez. Photo taken by Zach Mayer.

Jerimie Rodriguez, 18, who has been awarded a scholarship, thanks to his success in the ring. He has won the national No. 1 ranking, and is looking toward to Olympic team, as well as going into the marines. There was a change of heart for him, as it has built up his self confidence, and is no longer intimidated by people in his neighborhood who may act belligerent.

 "It really has given me another career path, to stay with boxing," said Rodriguez.

Saldana's boxing gym is not only for people from the neighborhood, but has boxing enthusiasts who come from Texas State as well. Saldana says that 20 to 30 extra people come to his gym during the annual Fite Nite.

Doug Foster, marketing sophomore at Texas State.
Photo taken by Zach Mayer. 

Half of them stay and continue. One such Texas State student is Doug Foster, a marketing sophomore. He found out about Joel's boxing gym through a Google search, and has been going to it ever since. Foster could just go to the Recreational Center at Texas State, but he prefers to work out for two hours a day, four days a week, because in his mind, they have better credentials. He has learned how to better defend himself, and sees significant self improvement since he started boxing.

 "Joel is not at the Rec., I came here to box, I want to learn how to box," said Foster. "I want to do good at boxing. He's the guy to go to. That's why I go here."

Here is a link to an article talking about some of these young men competing in Odessa.