CAMARENA WORKS TOWARD EXCELLENCE
www.insideboxing.com

By Blackbull

DENVER, CO (InsideBoxing.com, June 1, 2003) – Every once in awhile a special fighter develops, one with unbelievable talent and the ability to master the sweet science of boxing. Muhammad Ali, Ray Robinson, Salvador Sanchez, Alex Arguello, Carlos Monzon, Roberto Duran and many other past fighters have produced exceptional talent in the ring. Twenty-year-old Donald Camarena knows if he keeps working hard, his name will be among those fighters.

“There is something special about this guy," said Aurelio Martinez, Camarena’s trainer and manager. "I’ve been around boxing long enough to know when a fighter possesses above average skills. Donald can go a long way in this game.”

Today, we have fighters like Oscar DeLaHoya and Roy Jones Jr. making strong statements about themselves being special fighters, and without a doubt they are two of the best, if not the best, among active fighters. Whether you like or dislike DeLaHoya and Jones, you cannot deny their extraordinary talent in the ring.

Today, we also have the prospects of boxing - young, talented pugilists with a knack for boxing. Miguel Cotto, Jermain Taylor, Jose Navarro and Juan Diaz are a few of the prospects we most hear about, mainly because they have the luxury of being associated with promoters who can expose their great talent to the boxing public. Organizations such as Top Rank, DiBella and Main Events have the resources and money to provide their prospects with exposure to the boxing public.

Camarena is gaining recognition the old fashioned way…He's earning it!

David Finger of FIGHTNEWS.com reported: "Camarena showed flashes of Chris Byrd-like elusiveness, Pernell Whittaker-like quickness, and a touch of Hamed-like attitude as he dominated Nevarez thoroughly.

Camarena did not spend a lot of time as an amateur as he accomplished what most never will in only 15 amateur fights. Not being an Olympian, he did not receive the name recognition as Cotto, Taylor, Navarro or Diaz. So it’s no surprise a Top Rank, DiBella or Main Event never took notice.

What will impress you, however, are the accomplishments made by Camarena in his 15 amateur fights: He started boxing at the age of 15 and won the Texas Golden Gloves three years in a row.

In 1999, he won the Junior Olympic championship and won the 139-pound division in a Texas vs. New Mexico contest.
In 2000 he won the 132-pound novice championship
In 2001 he won the A (open) class at 139 pounds.

He never lost a single fight.

Donald Camarena just wanted to box, but Martinez, who boxed himself for over a decade, insists there is something special about this guy.

When asked about his boxing background, Martinez said, “I’ve been there done that." And been there he has. Martinez boxed Golden Gloves in the mid- to-late 70s and ended a professional career in the mid-80s. He promoted local fight cards from 1986 to 1992.

“I was making good money working as a Customer Engineer for IBM electronic typewriters and computers, plus with a lovely daughter and wife, boxing had to go,” said Martinez.

So boxing became history for Martinez. No more shows, no more gym, adios to boxing and all the politics that went with it.

That was until this young teenager named Donald Camarena happened to walk into the gym where Martinez worked out. “I remember this young man coming into the gym with his girl and a child in a stroller," Martinez said. "As he went through his boxing routine, I knew this guy had a lot of raw talent.”
As the days passed, the two became good friends and helped each other in the gym. “As it turned out I knew Donald’s family. We all grew up in the same neighborhood," Martinez said.

One morning while working out, Camarena told Martinez he was going to Florida to make his professional debut. That’s when things became serious.

“Donald’s skills and talent for boxing were just too damned good for him to become a catcher, a stepping stone for protected fighters,” Martinez said. So he took Camarena under his wing and started working with him, sharpening his skills and training him like a professional fighter.

Turning professional on May 19, 2002, Camarena completed his rookie year with flying colors. His professional record stands at 7-0 with 4 KOs.

“We hope to capture a world youth title in the next few months and work our way up to winning a world title,” said Martinez

Martinez is making a statement in boxing by turning out quality fighters. Fighters under his tutelage are Roy Delgado (12-1-0) and Adrian (10-0-0) and Anthony Mora (11-0-0).

Moncayo Blackbull can be reached at blackbull@insideboxing.com