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Boxing brings Oswego brothers closer
(Corey R. Minkanic~For Sun-Times Media)
Down for the Count
What: Amateur boxing show fundraiser put on by Jesse ‘The Law’ Torres Boxing Club and featuring up to 30 bouts, sanctioned by Illinois USA Boxing.
When: Saturday, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Harkness Center, 60 S. Fourth St., Aurora
Cost: Adults, $10; kids 12-under, $5. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance (630-631-9270).
Purpose: Raise funds to benefit the non-profit boxing gym.
For more information: Check them out on facebook or the Web site, jessethelawboxing.org
Updated: April 29, 2011 12:12AM
Twenty-year-old Luis Cano remembers the first time he stepped into Jesse Torres’ gym some three years ago.
“It was kind of intimidating. Really loud,” said the oldest of three Oswego brothers who had decided that day to tag along with his father Felipe’s good friend — ‘Uncle Carlos’ — who occasionally trained at the facility at 517 Union Street in Aurora.
“Jesse broke the ice,” continued Luis, who had done a lot of skateboarding but had never been active in organized athletics. “There was just something about his personality.”
The Aurora cop and well-known community volunteer does connect with kids.
“He had me jump rope, hit the speed bag and then join a line and do pads (punching the mitts held up by Torres in a drill that’s similar to sparring),” Cano recalled. “I’m hitting them hard as I can and we’re halfway done and I’m just dying.
“I underestimated it. I thought it was gonna be easy.”
Cano has stayed with it, though, and so have younger brothers Rolando (now 16) and Saul (14), now students at Oswego High School who were quick to follow him to the gym. Luis is a student at Waubonsee Community College.
All three have bouts scheduled for Saturday’s “Down for the Count” amateur boxing show, a fundraiser for Torres’ boxing club that begins at 5 p.m. at the Harkness Center.
Fourteen of the club’s members will have bouts, including Eduardo Martinez, who recently completed a successful defense of his 123-pound open division Chicago Golden Gloves title with a decision over Garfield Park’s Victor Morales. Martinez was also presented with the tourney’s 2001 Toughest Boxer Award.
The Cano boys’ father and mother (Maria) weren’t sure boxing was such a good idea when their kids started. For one, both Luis and Saul have diabetes. And then there was the time early on in their training when two of them came home sporting shiners.
“I told them, ‘I can teach you how to get a black eye at home,’” Felipe said. “I wasn’t sure about them going that far (to train) and I was concerned that they could get hurt.”
But he, too, had dabbled with karate and kickboxing and worked out in gyms when he was younger, so he relented. He’s glad he did, though he still finds it tough to watch them fight.
“I really haven’t gotten used to it,” he said, noting that he’ll be there Saturday but he won’t be in the front row. “I stay back and watch from a long distance. It’s getting better, but I still get real nervous.”
Of the three, Rolando has had the most fights with 18. He’s looking forward to competing in the Junior Olympics State meet in May in Rockford and hopes to advance to the regional and nationals.
“I want to get as far as I can,” he said.
Luis, who has had eight fights, said the activity has helped him control his diabetes.
“I like being in shape and it’s helped me keep me out of trouble,” he said.
Their father agrees, and he likes that boxing has brought his sons closer together.
“They get up early and run, two will run and the other will follow on a bike,” he said. “Then they usually go together (in the afternoons) to box together (at the gym).
“It’s helped make them real healthy. Luis and Saul have learned to take care of themselves and watch their sugar levels and watch what they eat. I wasn’t sure at first, but it’s been a good thing. I’m proud of them.”
And he also appreciates what Torres has done for his kids and others.
“What Jesse’s done is awesome. I don’t know how to thank him,” Felipe said. “He’s got a real nice thing going and I’m real impressed with how he does it. I know it’s hard for me, working all the time (as a truck driver) to find time. And Jesse doesn’t expect to be paid. He just gives his time. It’s hard to find people who do that kind of stuff.”
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