From October 26-31, a group of 400+ athletes registered to compete for what most would consider a once in a lifetime opportunity, the chance to be part of the US Olympic Men’s boxing team. The event took place in Memphis TN is the fifth and final of it’s kind by the USA Boxing will determine which six pugilist in each weight division will earn a spot at the WSB and World Championship Team Trial and USA Boxing National Championships.
Out of these over 400+ athletes only 20 will make it to the final round by ensuring that each champion in each of the 10 men’s divisions will have earned their gold medals while the two finalists will claim the final spots next December 7-12 in Reno.
This without a doubt is the event to be at if you are an aspiring Olympics Boxing participant. The Olympics provide participants a platform to compete where the world will be watching you.
One of those 400+ participants was Lorenzo Caldera. Lorenzo is a 20 year old from Portland. The middle child of Joe Caldera, R.I.P. (a Northwest Boxing Champion and OSU alumni), Lorenzo Caldera along with his trainer Coach Ray traveled to Memphis Ten.
I met Lorenzo and his trainer Coach Ray at Lorenzo’s grandmother’s restaurant “Catalinas” at Killingsworth Street, Portland. I have to say the spot was ideal for the conversation that was about to unfold. The ambiance was that of warmth, providing a nostalgic cozy feel. For sure an at home kind of vibe that fits the universal profile of the boxing family across the world. And of course I can’t help to share and encourage you to stop by and try their “Mole Poblano” a specialty of theirs.
I began by thanking Lorenzo and Coach Ray for making time to meet with me. Personally it always amazes me how these athletes balance it all. As many of the amateur boxers and their trainers Lorenzo and Coach Ray hold other responsibilities i.e. full time jobs, school and their family. Therefore knowing they took time to meet with OSN is for sure an honor and privilege.
We of course wanted to hear first hand what the experience in Memphis was like. In Lorenzo’s case he does not belong to a club, leaving him and Coach Ray with the full responsibility of generating funds for any cost related to participation entries, lodging and food. Both greeted me with a smile and the usual gentlemen disposition all boxers I’ve met have extended to me.
OSN: Thank you both for meeting with us.
Lorenzo: No problem, thank you.
OSN: How long have you been fighting for?
Lorenzo: 12 years.
OSN: How did you get started in boxing?
Lorenzo: I started at Knotts Boxing club where my dad coached.
OSN: Your Dad was your coach? What’s his name?
Lorenzo: Joe Caldera. He boxed at Knotts and stopped when he left for college at OSU. When he came back there was no head coach so he started to coach for them.
OSN: It sounds like boxing is a family tradition? Does anyone else in your family box?
Lorenzo: Yes I have two uncles on my dad’s side. Jorge Meza who got ranked at number two (2) and my uncle Andre Haynes a Golden Gloves & USA boxing champion
OSN: With all of this history in your family was boxing a choice or something expected of you?
Lorenzo: No, this is what I like. I always wanted to box.
OSN: Who is your biggest fan?
Lorenzo: My younger sister Sofia.
OSN: Oh yeah? How old is Sofia?
Lorenzo: She is 12.
OSN: How many fights have you fought?
Lorenzo 129.
OSN: How many wins?
Lorenzo: All but 10 or 11.
OSN: What was it like to have your father as your coach?
Lorenzo: It was fine fine.
OSN: Were there any blurry lines between being home and at the gym?
Lorenzo: Not really. He was really good at keeping things separate.
OSN: What is your relationship like with your trainer now? Is there ever conflict, difference in opinions?
Lorenzo: I pretty much follow his direction. I know I am in caring hands and don’t feel the need to butt heads.
Coach Ray: He is good. He listens. He is really good. I don’t have to worry about him running out there.
OSN: Are there any challenges on not belonging to a club?
Lorenzo: Yes some, but we do really good. We have a lot of support from some locals.
OSN: How often do you train?
Lorenzo: Everyday.
OSN: For how long?
Lorenzo: about four hours per day on normal days, longer when we are preparing for an event.
OSN: Where do you train?
Lorenzo: Everywhere. Sometimes we go to Knott’s boxing, sometimes we go to McConnells Academy, Kurt’s boxing.
OSN: what is that like?
Lorenzo: It’s a nice experience because we get to train with different boxers. Each has it’s own. For example when I go to Kurt’s I work a lot on weight lifting.
OSN: Sounds interesting. How does your training change when you are preparing for an event?
Lorenzo: Longer hours, a lot of cardio, more running.
OSN: Running?
Lorenzo: Yes, running helps you build your stamina as you are always on your legs.
OSN: How do you fund yourself?
Lorenzo: My family comes together and pitches in. I get support from the clubs.
Coach Ray: He has had a “gofundme” account where people from other clubs have donated. We of course also help out other clubs. Boxing is a give and take relationship.
OSN: Let’s talk about the Olympic trials in Memphis. Did you know any of the boxers there? What happens when you see other Oregon boxers outside of home?
Lorenzo: We had crossed paths with some of the boxers from other areas, as far as the Oregon ones it’s different because we have sometimes fought in the past so seeing each other there is different.
OSN: Anyone in specific?
Coach Ray: Yes, the Estrada Club was there and they are our eternal rivals.
OSN: How does that work?
Coach Ray: We are supportive of each other. As a matter of fact when Lorenzo fought I was alone at his corner and I asked Efren of Estrada Club to help me he looked at me and said “of course”. It was a nice experience to have him there.
OSN: Very nice. Exciting. Lorenzo I understand you won two fights one on October 26 & 27 while in Memphis. However the loss came during the semifinals on the 29th. How did that make you feel?
Lorenzo: I was upset.
OSN: I imagine that is very frustrating to go through that much effort and end up with a loss. If I am not mistaken there was some controversy to the decision is that correct?
Coach Ray: Yes there was. The other fighter was about retrieving, Lorenzo was more about being the aggressor many agreed the fight should’ve gone to Lorenzo.
OSN: How does that make you feel Lorenzo?
Lorenzo: Not good, but you have to suck it up and take it.
OSN: That must take a lot of discipline. I personally not sure I would be able to be civil but then again that’s what good sportsmanship is about right? How do you do it?
Lorenzo: Yes it is. It’s years of discipline.
OSN: Now that you are back at home what’s next?
Lorenzo: I am going to go pro.
Coach Ray: There are a lot of plans. First of all he has to take a break. It has been a long year for him. We have some events he will be participating in to get him back into the routine and there is even several promoters who are interested on him so going pro is for sure the next step.
OSN: Well that’s exciting. What do you envision that to be like?
Lorenzo: Well it will certainly change, a lot more work and training for sure.
OSN: Sounds like you have several promotores interested as per your coach. What is it going to take for one of them to get you to sign up with them?
Lorenzo: Well at the pro level it becomes a business as well. Whoever puts the best offer will most likely will be the one I will go with.
OSN: What is your ultimate goal in boxing?
Lorenzo: Become a World Champion.
OSN: Who is your favorite boxer?
Lorenzo: Wow, that’s hard. There are so many I can’t narrow it down to one. Everyone is different..
OSN: Ok, if you could pick your top three who would that be?
Lorenzo: Sugar Ray Leonard, Marving Hagler, Hearns and Duran.
Lorenzo Caldera and Coach Ray’s enthusiasm and commitment to boxing is one of the usual stories that the boxing family gives us to its fans. It is that kind of passion and hard work that allows us to witness the results of a team effort represented by one man in the ring in every round with every punch thrown.
It was very exciting to hear them both speak about the road they’ve been through. The wins and the losses. There is for sure a lot of experienced gained and even reflection that I imagine will be applied to future fights.
Lorenzo Caldera has a great future ahead of him. It is important to note that when OSN started exploring this story, fellow pugilists including World Champion Molly McConnell pointed to him as the one to watch and learn about.
When I asked Lorenzo what did it feel like to have that much vote of confidence and support from fellow club leaders his response was simple yet very clear, “It adds to the encouragement as much as the pressure of doing well.
As a last question OSN wanted to know what was his advice to other boxers who are aspiring to be like him, his response was: “You only get the chance once let hands your go.”
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