There is an array of talent
from which a talent manager can choose:
sports, acting, modeling, writing, announcers of all kinds, etc. Today, I venture upon the sport of boxing.
I interview Robert Rodas, one
of the amateur boxing trainers at Maple Gym.
I speak to two of his boxers: a
professional boxer with a resemblance of Sugar Ray Leonard, Johnathan Steele,
and an amateur boxer Josh Hayden. The
boxers train at the Maple Gym, owned by Arnie Verbeek, located in downtown
Dallas, Texas.
As a trainer, Robert Rodas,
manages the intricate details of the boxers’ lives, to ensure their focus. He makes sure their physical training; diet,
psychological health and the social aspect of their lives are up to par, in
order to stay fit for a match. Robert is
the right-hand man to the manager, sits in on negotiations, and has input on
the details of the boxers’ financial arrangement. In addition to training boxers, Robert is one
of the trainers, who teach boxing “boot camp” at Maple Gym.
Maple Gym is a great way to
stay in shape and to feel like a boxer in training without the bruises from
getting hit. The boxing bootcamp classes
are outstanding. Although, Manny and
Roger have different styles of training; both will have you completely depleted
of energy after a 1-hour and half of constant aerobic activities; punching
combined with circuit training.
Errol Spencer is another successful boxer from Maple Gym
Julie: How did you get
into training Boxers?
Roger: When I was going
to school, I was getting into fights and I said one day, I need to learn how to
fight. I stayed in the gym for 2 years,
just training and when I went back and started whipping some ass. Since then I feel in love with boxing.
Julie: They consider you
a top amateur coach, what makes you a top coach?
Roger: We have been open for about 4 years, in the
first year we won a team trophy, 6 Golden Globe guys, out of 12 guys I had 4
guys win the Golden Globe in the second year, 6-7 Golden Globes champions, 4
heavy weight champions.
Julie: How long have you
been training?
Roger: About 10 years
Julie: How many boxers
do you train?
Roger: 6 boxers
Julie: How can you tell
when you have good talent?
Roger: I have to get
to know them first, so that I put my time into them. They have to able to take a punch, not everyone can take a punch.
Julie: For those who do
not know, what are the levels/steps a boxer may take to get to the pros?
Roger: Amateur
is a way to start, 3, 1-minute rounds, then you have to fight 14 fights to get
to open the second level which is 3, 3-minute rounds. You can at the second as long as you want to
get the experience after that you become a pro.
Interview with Robert Rodas
I Interview with Josh Hayden
Interview with Johnathan Steele
Johnathan is a professional boxer. He became a professional within
2 years of boxing. He resembles Sugar Ray Leonard with an awesome smile
and personality.
Sparring Match
Robert, Josh, and Johnathan are very special and super nice guys.
Thank you for your time! ~ Julie
