See Pro Stars As Young Amateurs Rising Up
This summer, the sport of boxing will be featured in the 2012 Olympics with a team of fresh young faces competing for gold. As the spotlight will shine brightly on the world of amateur boxing, new fans of the sweet science may soon be born.
For casual fans of pro boxing, the sight of youth trading punches in headgear and tank tops of the amateurs may not appeal to some. But for hardcore fans of boxing in general–or fans who want to learn more about the sport–the “Born and Bred” documentary is one you don’t want to miss. This Justin Frimmer production, in association with Purebred Films and 24th Hour Productions, was featured in film festivals across the U.S. and opened last year to critical acclaim. Now fans have a chance to own their own copy in the special DVD release of this riveting docu-film.
Since I follow both professional and amateur boxing, this documentary was very entertaining to watch as I caught many familiar faces throughout the 94 minutes of action.
Frimmer zeroes in on two young Mexican twins who eat, breathe and sleep boxing. Following Javier Molina and Oscar Molina for over four years, the filmmaker captures a behind-the-scenes intimate look at what it really takes to become a champion. Not exactly the glitz and the glamour that mainstream fans see on PPV broadcasts with boxing’s superstar millionaires like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. But to become a famed world champion in the sport, each athlete has to go through the ranks to get there–and this is what “Born and Bred” details.
Presenting a view of a new generation of Latino boxers seeking to carve out success through boxing, Frimmer follows a corp of talented up-and-comers. Some make it in this blood sport while others fall off the radar. A few cave to the temptations of the street in gang violence, drugs and alcohol while several continue to slug it out–even though they may never make it to the top. It takes gut-wrenching sacrifice and both mental and physical toughness to survive. Long lines at early morning weigh-ins, long drives to weekend shows, and long faces when the kid doesn’t win. Boxing isn’t for wimps.
The movie’s main characters of Los Angeles’ Javier and Oscar Molina couldn’t have been handpicked any better; they are the perfect subjects for the lens to follow. Boxing since nine years old, the viewers get drawn in as they watch the close relationship form between the Molina kids and their dedicated trainer, Robert Luna. You witness the family’s noble sacrifices (older brother Carlos is also a fighter) while the boys travel and compete in countless shows and tournaments around the globe with their parents Miguel and Gloria supporting their dreams. Miguel was a boxer in Mexico; this is the family trade. You get to see Javier’s path to the top–his berth on the 2008 U.S. Boxing Team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and later, his successful pro debut in 2009.
Just young teens at the start of filming, “Born and Bred” gives the audience real insight on Norwalk’s Molina bros, all three thriving in the sport today. Javier is a 10-1 pro signed by Goossen Tutor Promotions; Carlos is a 16-0 professional under the Golden Boy banner (both Carlos and Javier are coached by noted trainer Clemente Medina); and Javier’s twin Oscar is still fighting amateur and right on target to become a 2012 Mexican Olympian. He will fight next month in the Olympic qualifiers.
Boxing is in their blood…as it is for every warrior seen in this movie.
Captured on film in the USA Boxing sequences are many young faces that have gone on to become professional prizefighters. While watching the movie, part of the fun I had was spotting a ton of amateurs who became pro fighters, some that I’ve watched grow through the ranks. Included in the scenes are glimpses of WBC and WBO Champ Randy Caballero, 2008 Olympian Shawn Estrada, heavyweight Joe Hanks, Maywood’s Charles Huerta, rising star Victor Pasillas, Golden Boy signee Frankie Gomez, Philly’s Karl Dargan, WBC Latino Champ Artemio Reyes Jr., female slugger Seniesa Estrada, Warzone’s Daniel “Twitch” Franco, and tons more. Some youngsters from the film are still making their names in the amateur world like Gary Salazar, Ryan Caballero, Pedro Duran, Ryan Garcia, Denise Rico and Angel Bojado.
The film also explores the intense trainer–boxer relationship, which can be complicated and conflicting at times. Boxing provides a surrogate family for many and its bonds are often broken when the amateur turns pro, signs lucrative contracts, gains fame and fortune, while maturing into their own personalities, as is sometimes the case. Every coach also sacrifices their own personal lives while providing tutelage to these kids they wholeheartedly believe in.
Well-regarded trainer Rodrigo Mosquera’s story is shown as he guides East L.A.’s Victor Pasillas to the pros–and through the ups and downs of young Pasilla’s dramatic life. Coach Mosquera still trains his young champs out of the tough Eddie Heredia Boxing Club. In “Born and Bred,” the veteran explains that he becomes a “second father” to these youth. Fast forward to 2012 and I still see Mosquera at frequent amateur shows and pro fights as he corners future champs like Gary Russell Jr. while still mentoring neighborhood boys and girls who want to box.
The years may have flown by, but the passion for the fight game remains strong for the majority of these fighters and trainers as they punch their way up and down the rocky road. For the youth starring in this film, don’t expect a fairy-tale ending for all. After enduring blood, sweat and tears, it takes a lot more to make it in the Olympics or the pros. Is it the luck of the draw or all the hard work with years of sacrifice and scrutiny that truly makes a champion?
The charismatic Molina twins are two who have beaten the odds in fighting their way to the top through their pure grit, discipline, perseverance and natural talent. But there is also an endless stream of young pugs who come close–but never make it to the elites. This is their story too.
Frimmer pays respect to all the athletes showcased in “Born and Bred.” A “champion” who believed in his film, Justin took a bare bones, no-frills approach in getting his film made and released. Never giving up even when he ran out of money, he showed the same heart and toughness of the boxers whose stories he brings to life on the big screen.
Javier Molina, now 22, spoke warmly of the experience when I caught up with him recently. I asked the welterweight what it was like having cameras following him around. He said many times he forgot they were there and director Justin Frimmer made it a great experience for the then–15-year-old. “Justin was really cool; he’s a great guy,” Javier told me. “We spent a lot of time with him; he filmed us for several years so we got to know him well.” The crew filmed various competitions including the Silver Gloves, Golden Gloves, U.S. Championships, U.S. Olympic Trials and more.
Another boxer Ryan Garcia, now 13, also has positive recollections of the filmmaking process. Victorville’s Garcia says he was just eight years old when they filmed his footage. But he still remembers the quote he gives on camera. Laughing, the boy tells me, “I can tell you the line again!”
Ryan continues, “In the movie I said: ‘I wanna make pro and I wanna make the money!'” Garcia’s too young to go pro just yet, but since his “Born and Bred” debut, the 13-year-old amateur star has since racked up approximately 100 amateur bouts and is a multiple champion in many prestigious competitions. “Boxing’s the BEST sport ever!” Ryan adds with a smile. After years of putting in work at the gym, this teenage “veteran” remains loyal to this action sport, striving to become a future world champ, just like all his fellow amateurs.
“DON’T BE ORDINARY” touts this new “Born and Bred” documentary.
If you are a big boxing buff, you will love it. If you are a casual boxing fan, you will learn from it. And if you are just a fan of documentaries, this one provides enough human drama to satisfy any moviegoer.
“Born and Bred” shows you an extraordinary up-close and personal view of what it really takes to become a champion.
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Photos courtesy of “Born and Bred”/ Estevan Oriol