18-year-old Jose Ramirez is not your average fighter. Jose has been ranked number one by USA Boxing for the past three years. Two years as a Junior Olympian and the past year in the Men’s Division. Jose has won three consecutive USA Boxing National Gold Medals. Jose was ranked #1 in 
the 119, 125 and 132 pound weight classed. He is currently in Indianapolis, Indiana, fighting for the 2011 Golden Gloves National Championship. Dubbed as “The Future Champ”, I had time to talk to Jose to see how training camp has been, school, work and the big question: Why not turn pro?
Q: Jose, you’re a full time student at Fresno State University, working and also boxing, how does one juggle?
Jose: I try not to think about my busy schedule. I just tend to go from one thing to another. I feel like I have organized my schedule well. However, it becomes more difficult when I’m training very hard, attending to a strict diet, I have school papers due, and I know I can’t get rest on the weekends because I have to go to work. Sometimes I get very exhausted and I must make wise decisions. This means I try to focus more on what is more important at the time. However, every time I win, school is going well, and I just got paid from work, it gives me a great feeling of accomplishment, this feeling is what keeps me going and makes me forget how busy I am. All this and a girlfriend!
Q. How was training camp?
Jose: I have a great team by my side which makes it very easy for me to train. Every day I train like there is no tomorrow. I have goals to accomplish and remain determined and focused my coach Armando (Mando) Mancinas, who is also my Godfather, has taught me well and he continues to teach me. He is very different from many coaches I see in boxing shows or at the national tournaments, he is very patient and really focused on what I’m doing. He clearly explains what I need to do or how to adjust in order to win a fight. Many coaches around the area where we live tell us that we make the best team in boxing. Mando works me hard but he is careful not to over train me. Every day at the gym I have a good time and I really feel ready for the nationals.
Q. Why not turn pro?
Jose: This is a question that many people ask me. I have many goals in the sport of boxing such as becoming a world champion, becoming financially successful and to be remembered for a long time as a great champion but most importantly for being a good person. However, to achieve all this, there is no better way than to becoming a professional with an Olympic gold medal. Becoming an Olympian is every athlete’s dream. I come from a small farming town with a population of 14,000 (half that number are inmates who are counted from the local State Prison). If I become an Olympian, it would be an incredible accomplishment. Besides the pride of 
becoming an Olympian, the money would be incredible. An Olympian is more likely to be worth more but a Gold medalist, the sky is the limit from the boxing promoter’s point of view. I have confidence in my talent and technical skills and since I have a passion for the sport, why not give myself a chance to be offered the sky?
Q. Coming from a strong family, what does it mean to your parents? Is there ever any pressure?
Jose: I’m grateful to say I have the best parents a son could ever have. If people could only see their facial expressions when I get out the ring with a smile! Sincerely, they are very supportive parents and proud of me because I’m also the first in my family to attend a University. My parents are the main reason I push myself everyday. I love seeing their smiles in their eyes every time I overcome or accomplish something difficult or challenging. If they ever see me overworked, stressed they tell me, “Son you’ve done a lot in the sport of boxing and if it gets too hard just continue with your schooling, you will always be our champion,” It means so much to my parents and I know they’ll continue to follow and support me in whatever I do.