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YUMA BOXER VICTOR ARRIOLA stands inside the ring (top photo) following a workout at the Yuma County Youth Boxing Association gym where he trains. The Yuma teen's bout Saturday night at the Desert Showdown tournament in Coachella, California is being billed as the main event. Photos by Jacob Lopez / The Sun "He won. His hand was raised and he wouldn't do any other sport after that. But he would have been a star football player at Yuma High no doubt. He's a great athlete." Fred Block, YCYBA President "He loves the sport. He's learned how to take punches; He knows how to block and he knows how to work the body. Victor is basically a professional already." Billy Orta, YCYBA Coach |
| Yuma teen focused on making the most of his future in the ring by Derrik Miller Sun Staff Writer Victor Arriola moves effortlessly across the dusty padded floor, watching his form in the mirror as he ducks and dodges imaginary punches. Then quickly, yet meticulously, he whips a left jab and right uppercut combination through the air. There are no distractions for Arriola, a 19 yr old amateur boxer. The sweltering heat inside the gym at the Yuma County Youth Boxing Association where he trains doesn't bother him. Neither do the dozen or so beginners loosening up nearby. There is only deep focus and concentration. So when talk about Arriola as a potential 2006 Olympic hopeful comes up, it doesn't faze him. "Right now I'm just setting little goals like trying to drop weight or getting ready for my next fight." Arriola said. "I'm not trying to think that far ahead." The YCYBA introduced boxing to Arriola six years ago. At the time he was transitioning from junior high to Yuma High and was a highly regarded football player. Arriola said one bout in the ring was all it took to persuade him to make the switch to boxng full-time. In his first fight, Arriola, then 13, split the first two rounds with his opponent and the last round came down to a close decision. "He won," said Fred Block, the YCYBA president. "His hand was raised and he wouldn't do any other sport after that. But he would have been a star football player at Yuma High, no doubt. He's a great athlete." |
Arriola's best year in the ring was also the most tragic in his personal life. In December 2003 after winning a bronze medal at the National Junior Olympics and finishing runner-up at the National Junior Golden Gloves Championships, his grandfather passed away. Arriola's grandparents raised him since he was an infant and he said the death devastated him. He walked away from boxing for eight months while coping with his grief. "He meant a lot to me and I had a hard time dealing with it," Arriola said of his grandfather. "Boxing just didn't seen that important anymore. But eventually I started to miss the sport a lot and I thought, 'My grandfather wouldn't be happy to see me like this'. Arriola returned with a newfound appreciation and he said he channeled his grief into motivation. His coach, Billy Orta, said he didn't have any doubt Arriola would be back in the ring. "I know it was hard because his grandfather was always there for him," said Orta,66, whose credentials include 55 years of experience in boxing and induction into the Arizona Boxing Hall of Fame. "But I knew he'd be back. Once you get started in boxing, you never get out of it." Orta added that he has seen Arriola's skill progress well beyond what it was when he was winning tournaments and said that his 5 foot 10, 200 pound heavyweight often studies the best professional fighters and incorporates some of their techniques. "He can tell you about every boxer, he loves the sport," Orta said. "He's learned how to take punches; he knows how to block and he knows how to work the body. Victor is basically a professional already." |
By the time arriola steps in the ring to train, he has already put in a full day's work at his construction job. But boxing is still the top priority and conveniently, he works for Orta's company. "When I work with Billy, he doesn't make me work too hard." Arriola said. "He doesn't want me burned out by the time I get to the gym." Arriola and nine other members of the YCYBA, ages 8 to 16, will take part in the Desert Showdown beginning today in Coachella, CA. The tournament is going into it's fifth year and features boxing clubs from around the southwest. Arriola's bout headlines as the main event Saturday. Orta said this may be the last time Arriola fights as a heavyweight. He added that the plan is to drop him down to 178 pounds, which would increase his changes at making the U.S. Olympic Team. Arriola said that no matter what setbacks he might be dealt along the way, this time boxing is in his blood for good. "If I wasn't able to compete, I would probably still be around coaching or helping out," Arriola said. "I just have to be involved in this." Derrik Miller can be reached at dmiller@yumasun.com or 539-6882 |