Amateur boxer Tony Corrales will be making the transition to the
professional ranks
When an amateur boxer turns pro, there can be a tendency to fall
flat from the start. The promise of money and earnings is
understandably tied to the professional label, but the transition
itself – the move from amateur to pro – is perhaps greater in
boxing than in any other sport, and that must be made before anyone
gets paid.
Amateur boxer Tony Corrales will be making the transition to the professional ranks
Click HERE to view a video of the San Benito Score featuring an interview with Tony Corrales, a local fighter who is making the switch from an amateur to a professional boxer.
When an amateur boxer turns pro, there can be a tendency to fall flat from the start. The promise of money and earnings is understandably tied to the professional label, but the transition itself – the move from amateur to pro – is perhaps greater in boxing than in any other sport, and that must be made before anyone gets paid.
Hollister resident Tony Corrales will shortly begin his transition. The 18-year-old fighter will compete for the final time as an amateur this weekend before turning pro, and he’s fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
Having amassed an impressive 43-12 record over seven years in the amateur ranks, Corrales, who just last year qualified to the National Golden Gloves Championships in Michigan, is expecting a few heavy blows early on as a pro.
“Boxing is gonna be my career,” he said. “It’s gonna be tough because I have a lot of friends. I like to have fun. But I’ve got to realize that my job is my job and I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.
“I’m guessing my first fight, it’s gonna get me sore. But I’ll get used to it like everybody else.”
Corrales was essentially at the end of his amateur line. The Hollister boxer routinely fights older, more experienced fighters – then 17, Corrales qualified to the National Golden Gloves Championships at the age minimum – and has recently been having difficulty finding amateur fighters of his caliber.
In fact, Corrales’ fight on Saturday at the Hollister Armory may not happen for this reason. Instead, he may spar with a professional boxer from Santa Clara.
“If I didn’t feel he was ready, I would have pushed him back before he would even think about (turning pro),” said Zeke Lopez, owner and trainer of Bulldog Boxing Gym in Hollister. “His life isn’t worth what I’m earning or what he’s earning. You don’t make that much money in the pros at the start anyway.”
Although Lopez has trained professional boxers before, Corrales is just the third fighter to turn pro out of Bulldog.
“If you take care of your boxer like you’re supposed to, you’ll be okay,” Lopez said. “If you look at the money aspect, then you have problems.
“I didn’t talk him into turning pro. He wanted to do it and he did earn it.”
Lopez used this year’s Golden Gloves tournament as a gauge for Corrales’ professional hopes. Although the boxer was unable to make a return trip to nationals, he did qualify all the way through to regionals before falling by decision to Watsonville’s Jonathan Garcia, who was then 18.
But Lopez felt Corrales fought a more professional fight against an amateur opponent, and has been doing so more often recently.
“He did very good. The kid he fought he should have beat, but he got out-pointed,” Lopez said. “In the amateurs, you throw a lot of punches to score. In the pros, you make your shots count.”
Aside from going up against more experienced fighters in the professional ranks, Corrales will also have to become accustomed to lighter gloves – from 12 ounces to eight ounces – as well not being able to wear head gear. But the biggest difference from amateur to pro, Lopez said, is learning patience and learning to deal with frustration.
“My style is adjusting to that,” Corrales said. “As you get older, you’re not as quick as the younger kids, who throw hundreds of punches a round. Now I’m worried about picking my spots, when I punch and putting punches together.
“When I turn pro, it’s gonna be like starting all over.”
Corrales will be starting over with more experience than he had as an amateur, though. The 18-year-old fighter pointed at the importance of eating right, reducing stress and getting a good night’s rest. He says he’s already cautious of promoters, but he’s ready to move on to “bigger and better things.”
“I think he’s gonna do very good because as an amateur, he picked it up pretty quick and did pretty well,” Lopez said. “After the fifth fight of his amateur career, Tony fought in the Open Division with fighters who had more than 12 fights. And he was winning.
“He’s strong. He hits fast. It will just be about how quickly he can make the transition from amateur to pro. But I think he’s gonna be okay.”
One More Fight
A 12-bout boxing show, hosted by Zeke Lopez and the Bulldog Boxing Gym, is scheduled for Saturday at the Hollister Armory. Doors open at 1 p.m., with the smoker event slated for 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 at the door, but can also be purchased in advance for $15 at Family Tree.
The San Benito Score
Each week, Free Lance and Pinnacle Sports Editor Andrew Matheson will host a weekly roundup of action in San Benito County. This week, check out an interview with Tony Corrales, a local fighter who is making the switch from an amateur to a professional boxer.
