San Juan, Puerto Rico and the surrounding areas are known for its rich boxing tradition. There are almost 30 gyms in the San Juan region alone. One particular city in the island’s metropolitan area is Carolina, and it is a hotbed for boxing. Although it’s a baseball city first, as pictures and statues of the late great Roberto Clemente are visible all around town, boxing is a very close second.
When I visited the Villa Fontana Boxing Club in Carolina, what I saw was dedication. Gerardo Sanchez, Jr. is an instrumental person, who runs the Villa Fontana Boxing Club and has been in the gym for the better part of his life. His father Gerardo Sanchez, Sr. ran the gym before him for 40 years. Gerardo Sr. would bring his son with him to the gym after school because no one could take care of him on those hours. Baseball was Gerardo’s, Jr. first love though.
Trophies and Championships won by fighters from the Villa Fontana Boxing Club
Gerardo, Jr. first excelled on the baseball diamond. He was chosen in the juvenile selections to represent Puerto Rico. As time went by, he lost interest in baseball and dabbled back into boxing. After his father retired from training fighters, Gerardo, Jr. took over training duties in the gym. He has now been teaching and training fighters in the gym for 10 years. That makes 50 years of the Sanchez family influence on the boxing club.
A few fighters hitting the heavy bags
There are fighters from all levels and ages who practice the noble art in the club. Gerardo, Jr. always makes sure to give everyone his or her time. Three of his pro fighters who stand out are Robert Figueroa, Charlie Clemente, and Jose ‘Wonder Boy’ Lopez. All three consider Gerardo, Jr. as a father-figure, brother, and more than family. At any giving time you can see over 20 fighters in the gym. Gerardo, Jr. just might be a leading trainer in Puerto Rico, in the very near future.
Gerardo Sanchez, Jr. (left) and his three leading pupils (from left to right) , Robert Figueroa, Charlie Clement, and Jose ‘Wonder Boy’ Lopez
