Introducing Jhonnathan Zamudio
There is something noble about the journey of an aspiring prizefighter. The sport of boxing has always been a way for those that come from humble beginnings to make something of themselves and to provide a better life for their families. Of course there are no promises in boxing and for every one fighter that pulls himself up and makes it, there are many more that do not. Light welterweight Jhonnathan Zamudio begins his professional journey tomorrow night at the Fairfield Sports Center in Fairfield, California.
Zamudio, who will take on Fairfield’s Omar Sanchez (0-2) in a four-rounder, grew up idolizing Juan Manuel Marquez in one of the rare non-boxing Mexican towns, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. “In my hometown of Cuernavaca, boxing is not very popular and we don’t have any one [fighter] that represents us,” explains the aspiring Zamudio. “That is why one of my long term goals is eventually to be able to go back and open up a boxing gym and be able to pass on my knowledge to future generations.”
Like others before him, Zamudio found boxing while looking for something to fulfill him in his life. “I became interested [in boxing] because I was at a point in my life where I needed something that filled me as a person,” explains Zamudio. “I needed discipline and something that was constant in my life, so I decided to try out boxing. I ended up falling in love with it and figuring out that I have the heart for it.”
Zamudio took up the sport seven years ago, and has gradually improved to the point where he believes he can make the leap to the paid ranks. “I started boxing in 2004 and it wasn’t easy to be where I am right now,” says Zamudio. “Since I am not a natural boxer I had to learn everything I know from scratch and train very hard at it to be able to reach my goal of becoming a professional boxer.”
After amassing 17 amateur fights, including a run at the prestigious Golden Belt in Mexico City, Zamudio’s passion for the sport led him to make the decision to leave Cuernavaca and move to the United States in order to better his boxing career. “I left Mexico because I wanted to find new opportunities with boxing,” explains Zamudio. “I left everything behind in search of my dream and the first thing I did when I got here was to look for a boxing gym, even before I looked for a job.”
Zamudio eventually settled in San Francisco, California, but found his home boxing gym in Watsonville, roughly a two-hour drive on most days. Living in San Francisco and training in Watsonville, Zamudio continued his amateur career under the tutelage of Jose Hernandez at the Pastel Boxing Club.
Zamudio has had some success as an amateur since coming to the States, including taking part in the California Golden Gloves last year, but his most rewarding experience was helping former world champion Robert Guerrero ready for his April bout against Michael Katsidis. “I’ve taken away a lot from the amateur experience,” says Zamudio. “The fact that I’ve got to spar with so many good boxers has given me lots of experience and I have learned a lot from all of them. But I’d have to say that sparring with [Robert] “The Ghost” Guerrero has been the most amazing experience I have had so far as an amateur fighter.”
Not only does Zamudio have a long commute to Watsonville to contend with, the ambitious athlete also has a full-time job working at the restaurant Chaya in San Francisco and a blossoming family life. Also, Zamudio and his wife Carolina welcomed their son William Alexander into the world this past May. “Balancing boxing with my job and my family is very difficult for me, especially this past two months in which I have been training so hard for my debut,” says Jhonnathan. “I just had my first son on May 23rd and it has been very stressful and hard to manage a full-time job at a restaurant, five days a week from 4 to 12 a.m. and running at 6 a.m. and driving all the way from Pacifica to Watsonville every day.”
Such are the sacrifices of the young prizefighter, aiming to change his life and achieve something noble. Tomorrow night, Zamudio aims to take his dedication and hard work and apply it to the next level. “I decided to turn pro because it was my biggest dream ever since I started boxing,” says Zamudio. “I have been working on it for the past six years and I feel like this a cycle in my life that will be completed by becoming a professional.”
When one reaches the moment they have dreamt about for years, and worked so hard to make possible, the pressure could be much to handle. Zamudio has arrived at that moment, the culmination of years of hard work, and now it is up to him to show everyone what he can accomplish. “The people that have supported me all this time expect nothing but the best and a great show,” explains Zamudio. “They know how hard I have worked for this day, and I will give it my all in the ring. As we Mexicans say, I die in the line.”
Photo courtesy Team Zamudio
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com.