The Family that Boxes Together…
Julian Herrera Ahuja — a slightly built, 90-pound, polite, nice-looking, 15-year-old Hispanic kid — is the star of this story. But, it’s impossible to relate Julian’s life and his journey to winning a silver medal and a GIANT belt at the USA Boxing Junior Olympics in Wichita, Kansas, in July, without introducing the other members of this tight knit family unit.
Parents Victor and Estella moved with their three sons and one daughter from North Carolina to Lake Dallas five years ago. Their oldest child, a daughter, still resides in Mexico. The parents focus on engaging their children in a solid education, along with an extra-curricular activity capable of holding their attention.
“My dad asked me how I felt about boxing,” explained Julian, the oldest of the four children living in the United States. “I didn’t have an opinion because I didn’t know anything about it. He asked me if I was willing to give it a try. I said sure.”
It just so happens that the small town of Lake Dallas boasts a modest gym christened Legacy Boxing. It’s owned/operated by former professional boxer Rich Lox, informally known as “Coach.”
Victor made an appointment with Lox for himself, Julian, and younger brother Angel. “I told Coach what I wanted for my sons. He talked to the boys, and we all decided to give it a try. That was only 1 ½ -years ago, and both boys made it to Nationals this year. Incredible!”
Julian and Angel fell in love with boxing almost immediately. They were in total sync with Lox’s coaching style, which keeps the gym humming and pulsing with the rhythmic sound of fists hitting punching bags and instructions barked into the ring from the apron. The gym is stuffed with kids, and some adults, with gloved hands raised and eyes focused.
Julian is polite and soft-spoken, with a work ethic that pushes many adults into a shameful corner. He trains every day after school as well as weekends. He knows what he wants and isn’t shy about articulating those desires and dreams.
“I want this for me and for my family,” he said. The resolve in his voice is well beyond his 15 years. “I want to travel, to see places. I want to know the big guys, and I want to buy things for my family. And I want other Hispanic kids to know they can do something other than spend their lives on the hot roof of someone else’s house.
“I’m here every day after school. Sometimes, especially on weekends, I’d really like to stay home or maybe do something with friends. But I can’t because that won’t take me to where I want to go.”
The boxers Julian competed against in the recent Olympics climbed through the ropes and into the ring with far more experience than Julian. Some had fought three times as many rounds as Julian, which are huge odds to overcome.
“Yeah,” he said, “but I think my mind was more experienced,” he said, tapping a finger lightly against his temple.
“Like I said, I want this, and I don’t intend to let anything throw me off track.”
It’s hard to land a punch on that kind of determination.
Legacy Gym sent three young boxers to Nationals, which is a huge accomplishment for a little gym in a little town, but Coach Rich is as determined as Julian. His heart is in the right place, and he gives everything he can to his boxers, telling them they’re creating a legacy one round at a time.
“I believe that,” Julian said, “and this is where I want my legacy to start.”
Coach looks over at Maria, Julian’s very little sister. Her fists are raised. She jabs the air as she bounces with perfect footwork. She brings back memories of Muhammad Ali when he said, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Coach smiles and murmurs, “There’s my first female champion.”
Oops! Look over there. Four-year-old Victor climbs through the ropes. He assumes a future champion position, his eyes focused somewhere down the road.
Julian shows everyone the way, and they all embrace his example. December in West Virginia is set for the next national competition. Currently, Julian is ranked fourth in the nation for his level. Now, he needs to gain weight and tip the scale at 101 pounds before he steps into the ring in West Virginia.
No worries.
His village will figure it out. He’ll be ready.
