Ariz. City man carries on boxing tradition

"He has the skill to turn professional now," Efrain said. "We had people tell us that he looked good in the tournament, he looked professional. But it's better to wait until he has a few more big wins before he turns pro to attract the good promoters."

Abel defeated Las Vegas boxer Jesus Gutierrez on Nov. 15 to win the Gene Lewis tournament championship in the 141-pound weight division.

A spokesman for the Gene Lewis Invitational told the Casa Grande Dispatch that Abel "started quickly winning round one with sharp combinations and well-placed body blows. Gutierrez won round two on all cards with sharp counter-punching and excellent lateral movement."

Abel came back to win round three on all scorecards with repeated head-shots and overall effective aggressiveness to win in "a close, but clear decision," the spokesman said.

Gutierrez had previously been undefeated, according to Efrain.

"Abel did real good and this fight was good experience," he said.

The Gene Lewis Boxing tournament is the largest amateur boxing tournament in the state. The competition attracts boxers from across the nation and is an opportunity for fighters of all ages and experience levels to compete.

In previous years, several members of the U.S. Olympic boxing team have participated in the competition, according to the Gene Lewis Boxing Club Web site.

"It's a big win for him. It's exciting," Efrain said.

Going into the match, Abel said he was nervous but felt well-prepared.

"I've been training hard," he said.

Next, Efrain and Jesus, who serve as Abel's coaches, plan to prepare their younger brother for competition in the amateur U.S. Championship and Golden Gloves competitions, from which they hope the young boxer will emerge with a national ranking.

"That's the route we want him to go," Efrain said. "If he does well there, that will position him for a good boxing career."

Abel began competing in the ring at the age of 13, following not only his older brothers' footsteps but also those of a grandfather and uncle who boxed professionally in Mexico.

Abel said that when he was a child, he would watch Efrain and Jesus box in tournaments, and he always hoped to be just like them.

"I learned a lot just watching them and knew I always wanted to box, just like them," Abel said.

When Abel became old enough to begin competing, Efrain and Jesus became his co-coaches and mentors in the sport. They started Ramos Brothers Boxing Club in Arizona City to also mentor other area youngsters.

By the time Abel graduated from Casa Grande Union High School last May, he had already won several amateur championship titles including the Silver Glove State Championship Boxing title for the 125-pound weight class, which he won in 2006, and the state championship for the 138-pound weight class, which he won by unanimous decision in 2007.

One lesson he learned from his brothers, he said, is that dedication makes a difference. Abel trains for three hours a day, five days a week. A typical day begins with a three-mile run followed by a gym routine designed to hone his skills, speed and stamina. The training routine keeps him busy and out of trouble, he said.

Efrain and Jesus hope that the club's success at the tournament, along with Abel's recent win, help to draw more local youngsters to the sport of boxing.

"It's a good sport for kids," Efrain said. "I hope that more kids look at Abel's experience and are inspired to learn how to box."

He said that even if young boxers do not aspire to become champions, they can still learn focus and discipline from the sport.

"The lessons they learn boxing makes them a better person in life," he said.