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TIM CURRAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
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| Amateur boxer and Parkrose resident Lorenzo Caldera, who has more than 100 fights on his resume, won the Regional Golden Gloves championship last month and hopes to win the national title in May, garnering him an invitation to train with future Olympians. Mid-county Memo photo/Tim Curran |
A decade later, with more than 100 fights behind him (91-10), his answer is the same.
Caldera still chases his dream, and furthermore, after winning the regional Golden Gloves lightweight championship title in Las Vegas last month, he's about halfway there; however, the second half of his quest is the most difficult.
As he rises though, the odds of him making it are long; professional athletes are rare. Caldera has to beat out more competition than in any other career field, work harder and longer than he would at any job, overcome more adversities, and make more sacrifices-all for just a chance to make it. Studies show less than one percent of the tens of millions of kids that play sports ever make it to the professional level.
Growing up, Lorenzo had a few advantages. His dad, Joel, who was an ex-boxer turned coach, not only trained and coached young men and adults in the sweet science, but also taught his eager son the fundamentals, and then set him on his career path by arranging matches throughout his childhood.
Nevertheless, that didn't set him apart from thousands of kids with fathers as coaches. The little man's passion, desire and focus did.
Ray Monge, Caldera's coach since he was a teenager, has nurtured his ability and protected him from distractions. “He's beat some guys who have been national champions,” Monge said. “We're knocking on the door.”
Not only does an athlete need innate talent and skill, but they also require will power and discipline to develop a strong work ethic. Sidetracks like injuries, bad coaches and education and relationship distractions derail most dreams. An athlete has to be in the top one percent of the top 10 percent to have a chance at going pro and cashing in.
It hasn't been easy for Caldera. He dropped out of Parkrose High School to train full time: Three to four hours a day, six days a week. His social life suffers. “On weekends I have a tournament coming up when my friends are doing something, and I have to get ready for a tournament, I don't go,” the taciturn and shy Caldera said during a recent interview at Grand Avenue Gym. “I look at how much time I've put into it, and it wouldn't be worth skipping the tournament because the time preparing for it is 10-times longer.” His polite nature and demeanor belies his fierceness in the ring.
Caldera returns to Nevada for the Golden Gloves national championships in May. Monge said there would be about a dozen fighters from across the country vying for the title in Caldera's 132-lb. weight class. To win, he'll have to out-box at least four pugilists, maybe more.
The top-three finishers in every weight class usually receive offers to train for the Olympic team in Colorado Springs.
Even if he doesn't win but places in the top three, he should receive an invite to the Olympic training center in Colorado to train for international bouts, fighting for a spot on the 2016 Olympic Boxing Team.
With the Olympics only two years away, Caldera thinks he can make the team. “This is my chance,” he said.
To defray Caldera's enormous expenses, patrons like Joe Rossi help raise money by holding boxing events and through personal donations that help Monge buy equipment for Caldera, who grows fast at his age.
If you would like to help defray Caldera's expenses or know someone who could, call Monge at 503-425-9768, or email him at imcoachray@gmail.com.
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