ROBERTO BENITEZ: The Next Major Latin
Inspiration of the Boxing World
Words by: B. Conscious
When you imagine growing up in one of the worst cities across the United States in the 80’s, you don’t imagine that city giving you the strength and motivation to one day become a 2004 Olympian representing the United States at the Bantamweight Division in the Olympics, do you? Well here’s a little known fact Roberto Benitez is only the second boxer from New York City to ever make the US Olympic Team since Heavyweight Champion Riddick Bowe (in 1988).
This Dominican native was raised in the Jacob Riis Housing Projects on the ower East Side of Manhattan, during the 80’s way before Rudy Giuliani was elected Mayor of New York City and cleaned up the city. Lower East Side (LES) and every neighborhood connected to it including the famous Midtown Manhattan was infested with crack, crime, drug sales on every corner, hookers, poverty, and struggling minorities just trying to make it in this Country. Roberto’s parents obviously fearing these mean streets and the negative influences that surrounded their only son, prompted young Benitez to join the East 10th street Harriman Boy’s Club of NY at the age of 10.
He initially became involved in boxing to protect himself from schoolmates and neighborhood bullies. It turned out this small framed young man was a hard working prodigy in the making, not to mention he quickly learned to throw devastating combinations. Roberto mentions “My first fight ever was at a New York City Boys Club and the outcome was a Draw decision. It was the most nervous feeling I ever had, and all I remember was just to throw punches in bunches.”
By the age of 16 Roberto by “throwing punches in bunches” proved himself to the Boy’s Club in his neighborhood and was named the Harriman Boy’s Club Athlete of the Year, he also moved on to capture a 1996 National U.S. Junior Olympic gold medal, and a 1997 National Golden Gloves Title. This kid was on fire and as years passed by he only got better and better. Soon enough he had appearances on NBC News and ESPN, and people in the boxing world began to realize Roberto Benitez was something special. Roberto came back in 1999 and proved to the world he was the real deal when he won the 1999 Golden Gloves
Title for a second time.
In 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004 Roberto Benitez conquered the Everlast U.S. Championships title making him the 5th person in istory to ever win 4 U.S. Championships. Needless to say this young man had an immaculate resume in the Olympic Amateur rankings by defeating over 130 fighters. Roberto Benitez proves to be a Latin Force to be reckoned with in the boxing Industry.
Despite this young mans great boxing career, he’s also driven to become a great person. Roberto has a Business Degree from Northern Michigan University and is President of his own Corporation (Team Benitez). He also has many other goals to accomplish during his career; he’s very passionate when it comes to helping inner city Latin youths, and plans to spend a lot of his time being a positive role model. Roberto (an all around good guy) mentions “I have goals in life to use Boxing as a way to allow me to fulfill my dreams of building programs for the youth such as a Boys and girls club, and to do things of this matter in other nations as well. Along with this I am interested in providing shelter and support in other countries where the economy isn’t doing well. My 3rd goal would be to also build a foundation for Young woman out there who are battered and need guidance in life.
With Boxing I want to become a new marquee star athlete of this generation such as Oscar de la hoya and George Foreman have been able to accomplish. I would like Boxing to allow me to utilize my image and character to crossover into other avenues such as Acting, spokes model figure, and any commercial work involving TV or model. I feel as long as I maintain focus and hunger that I can accomplish this, also with the right support and resources. I never really looked up to a role model other than my parents growing up. Through them I learned the importance of hard work and living life through good morality always' brought results”.
Definitely words of wisdom from a young Latino, who’s representing his race with pride. Soulfrito congratulates Roberto Benitez for not only a prestigious boxing career but also for representing his Latino’s in such a positive way! We look forward to seeing much more from this young man!
Look out for Roberto Benitez next fight on ESPN sometime
during the month of April 2006.
For more info visit www.Rbenitez.com
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