My resolution for this year is for my fighters to step it up and take them to the next level.   Recently, one of my fighters, Raul “Tigre” Casarez got an opportunity to sign with world class boxing promoter Don Chargin Promotions and co-promoter Marines Promotions. For people who don’t know, Don Chargin is a legend in the Boxing community.  Don has promoted over five thousand fights and over 30 world champions as well.  Also, he holds a 20-year record for consecutively booking weekly boxing events at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.  He has the championship experience and connections to build champions, not to mention he is a senior advisor for Golden Boy.  He will provide “Tigre” with the opportunities to progress to a championship level.

Next, I want to talk about Isaac Torres. He is the most decorated and publicized fighter in the history of Rio Grande Valley boxing.  Since I have moved here in 2006, I haven’t seen any other fighters in the Valley get more notoriety than him.  Torres recently competed in the U.S. Olympic trials which tremendously increased his exposure in the Valley boxing scene.  Expectations are high for Torres, so he must step up his game to meet those expectations.  He has the talent and ability to go a long way in this sport. However, it’s up to him to keep the self-discipline and focus on his career.  All eyes will be upon him.

My third fighter that is going to have to step it up is Humberto “Tito” Ramos who is currently undefeated with a 12-0 record and eight knockouts.  He is a fighter I am going to have to put a lot of pressure on to get to the next level.  But for a guy that never had an amateur fight, I feel Tito has come a long way.  Ramos was out of boxing for all of 2011 with a lingering elbow injury.  However, now the elbow is completely healed and he has comeback stronger and faster than ever before.  His skills, techniques and mechanics have improved every year since I have had him.  Ramos has spared the best in the world from Floyd Mayweather Jr. to Juan Diaz.  Out of all my fighters in the gym, he and Isaac Torres have the most ability. I believe ability and skill will take you far in this sport.

I have a solid group of up and coming amateur kids that are ready to step it up.  The group includes Enrique Alvarez, Alexis Nino, Gabriel Ayala and several others.

I’m also planning to take my two and only MMA fighters to the next level in their sport.  I feel that both Dee Jay and Randy Fuentes are ready to raise their game.

My plate is going to be full for next year.  I have several other fighters that are going to be joining me and we will talk about them in the future.

Behind every great fighter is a great team that supports him and helps him make it to the top. When you make it to the top, you make money.  If you don't make it to the top, you don't make money.  There is no thin line, you either win or you lose.  You have to organize a team that is going to help you get to the top.  Every great team consists of a promoter, manager and a trainer and a fighter is only as strong as his team and vice versa.  We are all linked together.

In my opinion, in order to make it big in this business you need a good work ethic and a foundation of success in boxing.

Dedication and work ethic are pretty much the same and a lot of the time you have to make sacrifices. When I was coming up, I wanted to be successful as a boxing coach that I made some personal goals. A lot of the old timers in the business told me that I would not be able to do it and it really discouraged me.

However, I believed in myself and worked on mastering my craft every day.  I did whatever it took to get better and in the end, I became the man I am today because of the dedication and hard work put into it.

I had to make a lot of personal sacrifices as well and gave up a lot of things to focus on boxing and the fighters. I had no hobbies and took no vacations either. Also, I ruined a couple of relationships with a few women along the way and even a chance to get married.

But probably the biggest sacrifice I had to make was furthering my education. I was able to get a college degree from Cal State-Sacramento but had to put my masters on hold and never finished up. I gave up an opportunity to chase a good career to pursue my personal career.

However I feel that if you put in the time and work hard, you can be very successful in boxing and the results will definitely follow.

Whenever I deal with a promoter, a boxer or a manager, I demand the same type of work ethic as me. People tell me that I know a lot about all facets of this business. But I am always learning and searching for knowledge to master my craft which will make me a better coach. Whenever I am in the gym, I am always working and teaching my fighters things I learned along the way which will help them in the long run.

I always tell a fighter that you don’t have to be super talented or athletic to put in the work. I feel that work ethic comes from within and that is the biggest thing a fighter needs to start in this business. 

WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A FIGHTER TO TURN PRO?

(This is the part two of a two part series in which trainer James Gogue will give his expert advice when it comes to a fighter deciding to turn pro.)

A lot of fighters feel that once they turn the ages of 17 or 18, they have to turn pro right away. However, I think that if the fighter is not ready, he can make a grave mistake doing that. If the fighter has no amateur background or if his body is not fully developed he can hurt his career or get physically get hurt. I feel that a fighter like that should hold off for another two years so he can be better prepared. Some ways to do that is by working with a good trainer so he can develop the fighter physically and mentally. These points are important to follow before turning pro.

Also, I feel that a person doesn’t turn pro just so he can become an opponent. A fighter should turn pro so he can become a champion. To me, a fighter has to earn the right to become a pro. A fighter has to work hard in the gym and show me that he’s ready to step in the ring before I let him loose. The fighter has to prove himself during the training sessions, in the ring, in sparring and also developing certain skills in the ring.

Last but not least, I live by the notion that a fighter could have a prosperous career if he has at least 40-50 amateur fights and has faced some of the top level talent in the business. So many fighters feel 10 amateur fights are enough to make that jump into the pro ranks. However, I feel that those types of fighters’ skills are not fully developed and it can ruin them.  Do it right if you want to have a prosperous pro career. All fighters that turn pro have one thing in mind and that’s to become one of the best in the business and that needs to be done with hard work, dedication, and time.

Once the foundation is set and I see that the fighter is ready to go, then I will unleash him into the pro world and will feel confident that his career will be a success.

James Gogue trains local fighters out of Marines Boxing Gym in Edinburg. As a trainer, Gogue has trained four former world champions with one of them being the three-time champ Tony “The Tiger” Lopez. Also, Gogue has trained 13 top ten fighters in the world, sent five fighters to the U.S. Olympic trials and has the honor of having three U.S. Amateur National Champions. 

WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A FIGHTER TO TURN PRO?

(This is part one of a two part series in which trainer James Gogue will give his expert advice when it comes to a fighter deciding to turn pro.)

It doesn’t take much for a fighter to turn pro. Actually, all you need is medicals and apply for a license. But if a fighter wants to have a prosperous pro career, here are some things I think they should do.

First of all, a fighter needs to have ability. If a fighter has god given ability, then I feel they can become a prospect.

What helps quite a bit is seasoning and experience in the USA Boxing program as an amateur in the junior and senior ranks. A fighter needs to have a coach that can take them to the local smokers’ events and local tournaments. Those tournaments will tell a fighter if he or she is good enough to continue on in the sport. If they are good enough, then they can compete in regional tournaments and then at the state level.

If they are successful at the state level, then they can compete at nationals and that’s where they will face some top level talent which will help with the transition of turning pro.

Another big thing about turning pro is that fighter has to be a true professional and have pro attributes. The fighter has to have physical strength, athleticism, punching power and mental toughness. However, the most important thing is a fighter has to have is a tremendous work ethic. They need to understand the values of dedication, commitment and sacrifice. The pro game is like night and day from the amateur ranks.

In amateurs, the fighters are boys fighting for toys while pros are men who fight for money.  In the pro ranks, there are smaller gloves and no head gear either. Plus, the fights are not three rounds like in amateurs. In pro fights, the bouts are four, six, eight, ten or twelve rounds.

Boxing is a very tough, brutal and an unforgiving sport. But if the fighter has all of the traits above, they will have a solid foundation and can build a successful pro career.

James Gogue trains local fighters out of Marines Boxing Gym in Edinburg. As a trainer, Gogue has trained four former world champions with one of them being the three-time champ Tony “The Tiger” Lopez. Also, Gogue has trained 13 top ten fighters in the world, sent five fighters to the U.S. Olympic trials and has the honor of having three U.S. Amateur National Champions.