Hollister fighters needs funds to make trip south to Carson
HOLLISTER
Hollister boxer Jorge Hernandez will probably be more at ease than his opponents this weekend.
That’s because Hernandez will not only will he be making his third trip south to the California State Silver Glove Championships in Carson – where he’s already won twice, by the way – but the 15-year-old fighter doesn’t carry that win-at-all-cost mentality that may pressure other boxers.
Hernandez wants to win, of course, but he’s not going to stress out about it.
“Yeah, I’ll be okay,” he said. “I don’t really care about winning. I just want to try my hardest.”
Hernandez won the state Silver Gloves the first time he attended, and went on to win the national Silver Gloves that same year.
Two years ago, Hernandez won the state tournament again, but couldn’t afford to make the trip to nationals, which are held in Missouri.
“It’s tough because they’re all going for the same thing,” Hernandez said of the competition at state. “They want to win too, and they’re all trying their hardest.”
Hernandez last fought in June at the Junior Olympic National Championships in Marquette, Mich., where he lost his preliminary bout.
Weighing in at 145 pounds at the Junior Olympics, Hernandez currently sits at 147 pounds, but was recently as heavy was 170 pounds.
“When I’m lighter, I’m so fast. But when I get heavy, I’m slow,” he said. “I don’t like to be slow because they see my punches and I get hit more.
“I’m 147, and I still want to be lighter.”
Hernandez will head south to Carson with 11-year-old Phillip Bribiescas.
The two fighters, both of whom train at the Bull Dog Boxing Gym in Hollister, are currently seeking funds in order to make the trip.
“It’s going hard because we need to raise $800 by the end of the week,” said Bribiescas, who plans on competing in the 60-pound weight class.
This will be Bribiescas’ second trip to Silver Gloves, and after losing his first fight the last time he competed, the Hollister boxer would like to win at least once this time.
“Some are good, and some are not good,” said Bribiescas of the competition. “I went last year but I lost the fight, I think.”
If you would like to donate, call Zeke Lopez at 831-636-1349.
