Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

February 7, 2004 - Issue 106

Two Ignacio Boxers Begin Quest for Olympics

IGNACIO - The dream meets reality today for two area American Indian boxers.

With an eye toward Olympic glory and the accompanying lucrative financial rewards, Ignacio boxers Frank Richards and Jordan Rael, both Southern Ute Tribal Members, step into the ring today for the first round of the Western National Boxing Championships in Bakersfield, Calif. The tournament will run through Saturday.

Richards and Rael received invitations as a result of meeting minimum experience and victory qualifications. Should they win their respective weight divisions in the tournament, they will advance to the Olympic Boxing Trials later this month in Tunica, Miss.

"This is the gate to the Olympic Trials that we needed to have," said George Manzanares, coach of George's Independent Boxing Club in Ignacio.

"It's a shot that we're elated to have."

There are eight slots in each of the 11 Olympic weight divisions. All but the Western Nationals champion's slot has been filled in each division.

Both Rael and Richards are inexperienced by national-caliber standards, touting only seven bouts each. Experience isn't everything, however - especially in boxing, where conditioning and determination often overcome veteran ringmanship.

"I think I'll probably do pretty good," said Rael, 17,who will compete in the bantamweight (119) ranks. "I think I can win my first couple of fights and make it to the finals."

And once there, anything can happen, as both Rael and Manzanares know.

Despite his lack of bouts, Rael (5-2) does have big tournament experience, albeit not on the national stage. Rael was a finalist in the 2001 state Silver Gloves championships held at Pueblo.

"That will help with nervousness," he said.

Rael thinks he has another facet to his game that will prove beneficial.

"Being left-handed, I can give them a liver shot."

Richards (6-1) doesn't even have that much to rely upon, but he will carry something into the ring that Rael won't - bonafide knockout power. The light heavyweight (178 pounds) has stopped half of his opponents.

"He's looking good in his workouts," Manzanares said. "He's got a lot of power even though he doesn't have the experience.

"He's determined he's going to go out there and win," Manzanares added.

As for Rael, son of Rebecca Rael, Manzanares said, "He's been a tough little fighter for me. He's quick, fast and he's a thinker. He's got some good combinations, too. I think if I can get him focused when he goes into the ring, he'll come out all right."

"Come out all right" can mean being victorious or, as Manzanares knows in a tournament such as the Western Nationals, just coming out of the ring by their own power instead of being wheeled out on a gurney.

"They are going to be running into some world-class competition," noted Manzanares, who has been a boxing coach for more than 40 years.

"They'll see boxers who have been training harder for longer and who have five times the experience. They'll be running into some tip-top competition with a lot of experience, period."

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