Kingsville’s Boxing Champions Preparing for Competition

Oscar Cantú about to throw a hard punch at opponent Jeremy Rendon There was some serious action in Kingsville Monday evening, Feb. 1.

The 12th Street Gym has two boxing champions in training for matches later in February.

Two sparing matches were arranged as part of their training preparation.

Oscar Cantú will be competing Feb. 18-20 at the Golden Gloves Tournament in Corpus Christi.

His sparing partner for the evening was Jeremy Rendon of the Neighborhood Centers Boxing Club of Corpus Christi.

They battled for four rounds. Each round was three minutes long. The action was lightening fast. It is important for a boxer to have the opportunity to spar with an opponent prior to an important match.

This gives him practice with his breathing and reactions to a real opponent trying to deliver real punches.

Each fighter’s goal, of course, is to get out of the way of the other fellow’s punch while landing a few of his own.

Jaime Cantú, head coach of the 12th Street Gym, will be traveling to Corpus Christi with Oscar for the Golden Gloves Tournament. Boxing has a long history in Kingsville and Mr. Cantú is working to make this sport something that all of our community can enjoy.

The other sparing match for the evening was between Homero “El Oso” Fonseca, the Texas Heavyweight Champion, and Michael Garcia of the Neighborhood Centers Boxing Club of Corpus. They went for three rounds of three minutes each. Once again, the gentlemen were throwing some real punches.

“El Oso” will be participating in a professional match in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 19. Ray Ontiveros of Corpus Christi will be traveling with “El Oso” as the professional cut man.

This will not be a title match, but it is a chance for Kingsville to cheer for our champion, Homero Fonseca.

The 12th Street Gym is one of the largest amateur boxing gyms in Texas.

It is home base for professional and amateur champions from our community.

The 12th Street Gym also welcomes and has exercise and boxing programs for young people. Be watching for details on the May 15 professional boxing event to be held here in Kingsville at the J.K. Northway arena.

This is something Kingsville does not want to miss.

Check out the web page at http://www.12thstreetgym. org/index.html.