Today’s Victory Earns Olympic Berth
In BREAKING NEWS of the day boxer Oscar Molina has just clinched a spot on the Mexican Olympic Team heading to the 2012 London Games this summer!
The tough 22-year-old amateur has worked hard to make his dream a reality. In this exclusive chat with the team, I caught up with the Molina camp today during a break in this week’s boxing competition in Brazil. The AIBA American Olympic Qualifying Event Rio de Janeiro 2012 began on May 5 and will continue through May 12.
The Molina family is synonymous with the fight game. The patriarch, Miguel Molina, used to box. There are six sons in the family; three are boxing champs. Now two are bona fide Olympians; twins Javier and Oscar have the hard-fought distinction of two siblings who can list “Olympic athlete” on their resumés. Javier is a 2008 Olympian and pro prospect with 10 victories under his belt and his “older” twin (by two minutes) is now a 2012 Mexican Olympian, after winning a spot in today’s qualifier in Rio de Janeiro. Older bro Carlos Molina, is an unbeaten junior welterweight who will be lacing up again soon.
Little brother Oscar fought Argentina’s Brian Castano today, with Molina winning by a 25-14 margin in the 69 kg division. His first round was a bye and earlier on Monday, Molina faced off against El Salvador’s Nathan Melendez, with this match ending in a 12-4 RSC victory for the Mexican slugger, who’s family resides in Southern California. The Molina kids grew up known as the “Pride of Norwalk” for all their contributions to the sport. They are on a roll with the three brothers’ successes in and out of the ring. Javier is signed by Goossen Tutor Promotions and managed by former fighter Arnulfo Bravo; Carlos is repped by Golden Boy Promotions and managed by Hall of Fame boxing manager Frank Espinoza. But now it’s Oscar’s time to shine–and the whole family is relishing in his newest and sweetest victory.
I spoke to the team while the family was celebrating with the day’s victor, who is thrilled with winning this Olympic spot. But he is also keeping his game face on for his next bout this Friday in which he’ll go against a Venezuelan fighter. Oscar has over 230 amateur bouts logged in; he is currently trained by Mexico’s coach Francisco Bonilla.
“Today in the semis, I qualified for the Olympics, but I still have to fight on Friday,” the 152-pounder explained. “Then if I win, it’s the finals on Saturday. But I am in the Olympics for sure!”
That all-important slot on the Mexican Olympic team is his. And it’s a prize he earned through blood, sweat and tears–and many sacrifices the family has made. Always believing in their young champs, Miguel and Gloria Molina have raised a real championship familia. In an earlier piece, I reviewed the Justin Frimmer documentary “Born and Bred,” in which the Molinas star in. Their grit and guts sacrifices are documented early on when the boys were just teens. Now hard work has really paid off for the boys.
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I’m very excited about London,” Oscar told me, his voice relaying the pure joy and happiness in attaining such a goal as this. “This has been my dream for a long, LONG time! I was a little nervous right before my fight–this was the moment I had been waiting for…And now I’ve achieved it.”
Sharing in the amateur pug’s excitement is Team Molina, who all flew to Rio to watch Oscar’s bouts. Brother Javi, parents Miguel and Gloria and family friend and Javier’s manager Arnulfo Bravo were all there to witness in person this big Olympic win. “My brother, Carlos, couldn’t come this time,” Oscar commented, “because of his kids and he’s also training for his own fight coming up.” Both Javier and Carlos train with well-regarded coach Clemente Medina, out of the Maywood Boxing Club. The gym houses many a champion and contenders galore, so this win by Oscar is supported by tons of Southland fighters. “I haven’t checked my Facebook yet,” Oscar chuckles, “but I’ve heard everyone’s excited!”
The newly-crowned Olympian will have a large team of fans heading across the pond when Oscar laces up in July. “My brothers, parents and others will be going,” he says, “in late July through early August. I can’t wait! It’s going to be great.”
He wants to take time to recognize his loyal supporters through the years. “I really want to thank everyone for sticking with me though all the hard work,” he shares with me. “It was hard work–BUT WE DID IT!!!”
With today’s win, he has done it–and he’ll be heading to the U.K. soon. Oscar went to the 2008 Beijing Olympics when Javier competed. Now it will be Oscar lacing up and going against the world’s best and the biggest stage ever. I asked the twin what he’s looking forward to the most?
“The Opening Ceremony!” he quickly replied, “This has been my dream, now it’s coming true!” He’ll be part of the Mexican Olympic Team with his eye on bringing home a gold medal.
Arnulfo Bravo was there to see these Olympic dreams coming to fruition. “He fought a good fight,” Bravo said during our phone chat. “He beat the guy pretty good and now he’s going to the Olympics!”
The camp will stay through Sunday and Monday as they take in the boxing matches and all the sights of Rio de Janeiro too.
While the guys are enjoying the sunny beaches and plenty of Brazilian beauties of the land, there’s one young man who’s keeping his eye on the prize and his focus solely on boxing. He may do his running and training on the gorgeous beaches but he’s keeping his sights on winning in the ring–trying not to get distracted by those famous itty-bitty bikinis of Brazil.
“I haven’t been out much,” Oscar laughed, when I asked him about the sights of Rio. “I’ve heard about it but for now I’m being ‘locked up’ in my room. After my last match, I’ll be able to celebrate!”
After this weekend, there will be a big fiesta for the Molinas. Two twin brothers, two Olympians.
Through hard work and sacrifice, the Molina family proves that dreams do come true.
Congratulations to Oscar Molina, new 2012 Olympic boxer!
Photos courtesy of Team Molina and Bravo