Trainer Clemente Medina Sings in Long Beach

Coach of Alfredo Angulo performs as “El Duke”

Boxing trainer Clemente Medina took a short break from coaching to showcase one of his passions outside the ring: performing as singer “El Duke de Sinaloa.” Wearing a black cowboy hat, the Mexican crooner sang ten songs in front of an intimate group of family and friends at Rosa’s in Long Beach.

He and his most famous student Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (17-1, 14 KOs) are readying for their next battle versus Joel Julio on April 24 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Clemente said he and “Perro” are busy at camp and getting a variety of sparring in. But this past weekend, the Mexican trainer and balladeer had a day off in his schedule to perform and sing as he entertained the group with his renditions of “Motivos,” “Collar de Perlas,” and more.

Medina has been a trainer for over 36 years and has been performing in live concerts for about a year now. The coach works with both pros and amateurs at the Maywood Gym and Glendale PAL. Besides fan favorite Angulo, he lists Carlos Molina (11-0), Ruben Rivera (4-0-1), Jesus “Pollo” Hernandez, Manuel Castro and Emanuel Medina as other talented young charges in his stable.

The busy cornerman is always in demand and is well known in the L.A. fight scene. And after this recent concert, Medina heads back into the gym and a full calendar of bouts ahead. He’ll be at Junior Olympics Tournament that begins tonight in Maywood with some of his talented amateur prospects.

Two of the teen amateurs were at his concert last Sunday night to support the trainer and singer. David Escobedo has been working with Clemente for three years now. “It’s an honor for Clemente to train me,” the 14-year-old says. He trains in Glendale with Medina and says he’s looking forward to fighting in the JOs in the 105-pound division.

Escobedo was enjoying tacos at the restaurant with his brothers and father. While watching his trainer perform live, he commented, “He’s a very nice and funny man…AND a great singer too!”

Another boxer at the gathering was fighter Olé Alvarez, 14. He has literally grown up in the gym with his mother and pro fighter, Katarina De La Cruz. Look for Alvarez in the 125-pound bracket at the Maywood tournament.

Also taking in the performance was cutman Gil “Candyman” Nieves, who frequents many local gyms. He was getting ready to head to Vegas at the end of this week; he’ll be in the corner of Frankie Gomez, who will be making his highly-anticipated debut on the Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones undercard. Nieves always comes out to show appreciation for his compadre, Clemente, and likes to hear him sing.

While Clemente serenaded his audience with rousing renditions of Mexican standards, special CDs of his music were also given out to the guests in attendance.

You can catch Medina in a boxing ring this week OR as singing star “El Duke” in a future performance!

Photos by Michele Chong