Mexican-American Boxer Carlos Balderas is Looking to Bring Back Gold from Rio while representing U.S.A.

Picture Courtesy USA Boxing

By Francisco Romero. – In 1984 the world of boxing focused on a young Mexican-American boxer by the name of Paul Gonzalez wear the red, white and blue and win Olympic Gold Medal in Los Angeles.

Gonzales became an instant sensation and a fan favorite; he won gold in the light flyweight division.

In 1988 Phoenix, Arizona native of Mexican-American descent Michael Carbajal won a Silver Medal in Seoul, Korea in the light flyweight division.

Carbajal became one of the premier boxers of his time and is a five-time world titleholder.

In 1992, Oscar de la Hoya, fighting out of Los Angeles, California, took Barcelona by storm and won Gold Medal in Boxing in the lightweight division. De la Hoya’s style of boxing and charisma attracted boxing fans and non-fans alike; he became a national hero.

Of Mexican-American descent, de la Hoya is currently a successful boxing promoter after winning 10 world titles in 6 different categories.

The Rio 2016 Summer Olympics will witness another Mexican-American fighter representing the United States of America; this time around, it is 19 year old Carlos Baldera’s turn to wear the red, white and blue inside an Olympic boxing ring and looking to bring back a medal.

Baldera’s grandfather made the trek to the United States from Oaxaca, looking for a better life for his family; they worked in the fields of Southern California picking strawberries.

Initially Balderas was sent to a boxing gym as punishment for getting into fights.

Ironically, soon he will be able to get rewarded by fighting.

“I feel like boxing really saved my life because if it wasn’t for boxing I’d probably still be out on the streets getting into trouble,” Balderas was quoted in the nbcolympics.com website.

Balderas continues the tradition of Mexican-American Boxers representing the Stars and Stripes; now, wouldn’t it be nice if he continues the tradition of boxers bringing back medals the United States?

Keep an eye on Balderas; he is in Rio to win.