By Joseph Herron: – Photo credit: Rosemary Acosta – High school graduation is a very exciting time for a young adult. Although the uncertainty of what lies ahead can be very unnerving, the idea of having your entire future ahead of you is most intriguing. The prospect of fulfilling a dream and beginning the journey of adulthood is one of the most thrilling times a person will ever have.
While most young men at this time are gearing up for graduation parties, summer jobs, and decisions concerning which dormitory to reside in while attending a university, 18 year old Antonio Capulin is preparing for battle.
His battle is only a small part of accomplishing a much larger goal.
Tony commenced his ultimate ambition of becoming a world champion and decided to embark on a professional prizefighting career in April of 2010.
The 18 year old pugilist is currently training for an upcoming bout on July 9th.
While attending C E King High School in Houston, TX, Capulin completed a very successful amateur career consisting of over eighty bouts and believed that he was ready for the next step.
“I, along with my family, felt that it was time,” states the undefeated prospect. “I had gone as far as I could go as an amateur and the next step was turning pro.”
Becoming a professional boxer was something that was being cultivated within Antonio at a very early age.
“I have been fighting since I was 10 years old,” claims Antonio. “My Dad started doing pad work with me during the summer of 2002 and took me to start training at Prince Gym in Houston. That’s basically how I started boxing.”
Although Tony began fighting in 2002, he admits it wasn’t an easy transition for a ten year old boy.
“It was hard at first because I was a fat kid at the time,” claims the featherweight fighter. “Getting into fight shape was extremely difficult, but training got easier as I lost the weight. It wasn’t as much of a struggle once the weight came off.”
The young pugilist quickly learned the benefits of training like a prizefighter.
“Boxing has given me the discipline and work ethic to succeed in whatever I put my mind to,” professes Antonio. “Boxing has helped me to become confident while staying humble, and has made a real difference in my life.”
The young fighter’s manager, Jay Johns, initially identified Antonio’s exceptional talent at the amateur level.
“I recognized how special Tony was while he was competing in the 2009 Houston Golden Gloves,” recollects Johns. “While he was in the ring, Antonio showed an unusual amount of maturity for a 16 year old amateur fighter. Based on his impressive performance in the tournament, I knew that he was ready to become a professional boxer.”
Johns feels that there is no ceiling to the amount of success Antonio can achieve as a professional fighter.
“He has the potential to go very far in this industry,” supposes Capulin’s manager. “I whole heartedly believe this because of his ability to adapt well in the ring to different fight styles.”
This skill set was on display at the Houston Golden Gloves tournament when he fought and defeated three very different opponents consecutively.
Capulin attributes his special abilities to his love for the fight game and his influences in boxing.
“My favorite fighters have always been the proud Mexican champions like Jose Luis Castillo, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez,” admits Antonio. “I like fighters who can brawl as well as box. That’s what I love about boxing. Sometimes it’s better to brawl with an opponent and sometimes is better to box an opponent depending on their fight style. Most people don’t realize how mentally challenging the sport of boxing actually is and I absolutely love a challenge.”
Although Tony has an affinity for the legendary Mexican pugilists, he possesses the maturity to realize that the Mexican style of in-fighting can be entertaining but risky.
“I do have fun going to war and brawling, but I have seen so many fighters’ careers cut short by the decision to ‘go to war’ when it’s not necessary,” states the mature 18 year old fighter. “In boxing, a fighter must make his decisions in the ring based on intellect not emotion. To let your emotions get the better of you in the ring can be very dangerous and can ultimately ruin your career.”
“That’s why I choose to box an opponent first and then go after an opponent when I find an opening,” professes Antonio. “I consider myself to be a boxer-puncher.”
Antonio has used his strategies in launching his professional career to a successful 3-0 record, with all three bouts being decided by devastating knock outs.
The young Houston fighter plans on improving to an impressive 4-0 record on July 9th.
“As I continue to further my career, each outing becomes increasingly difficult,” admits Capulin. “But I expect that, and like I said before, I welcome and absolutely love a challenge. I realize that we can’t get better at what we do unless we challenge ourselves, and I plan to rise above every challenge placed in front of me.”
It will be interesting to see how the undefeated Antonio Capulin’s career progresses; with a mature outlook on life and the sport of boxing, expect great things from this young fighter from Houston, TX.