A Boxer from Kenosha, WI & His Journey to the USA Boxing Team

Tenacious Boxing’s doors open up around 4 p.m. Kids rush into the building, holding gym bags that are half their size. When they first walk in, there’s a small front room, and just behind that is where the action takes place: the boxing ring. A few chairs are lined up for viewers, and athletes of all shapes and sizes are scattered throughout, some warming up, some in the sparring room and others getting ready to enter the ring. 

Luis Alvarado did not walk into Tenacious Boxing at age 16 with the intentions of becoming a nationally ranked boxer. What he wanted was to lose weight and to develop a healthier relationship between his body and food. Now he has won several national tournaments, traveled overseas to compete and even went to Colorado Springs to the U.S. Olympic Training Center. 

“As all things in life, the unexpected is usually the best thing that could happen to you,” said Alvarado.  

Alvarado signed up for his first boxing class with two intentions in mind: lose weight and learn to defend himself. A ‘win-win situation’ as he put it. Kids bullied him in high school for his size, and he wanted to change that. Carlos Aguilar, one of Alvarado’s coaches, didn’t always take Alvarado so seriously. 

“I was training a lot of good athletes at that time, but he was just persistent in asking ‘Can you train me? Can you train me?’” said Aguilar. “I told him to be in the gym for a little bit and then we’ll see what’s up.” 

Aguilar is a coach to many at Tenacious Boxing. Alvarado treats all of the athletes as equals. 

“In terms of them looking up to me, I would hope so!” said Alvarado. “A lot of them say ‘Oh fight like Luis!’ cause I’m very relentless.” 

Alvarado is now 21 years old and has many accomplishments under his belt, but it has taken a lot to get to where he is now. Typically, Alvarado wakes up at 5 a.m. for a seven-eight mile run, showers, heads to work and then straight to the gym after that.  

What he works at the gym depends on what day it is. Some days he and his coaches focus on the basics or conditioning with bag work. Other days are sparring days. After his time at the gym, ranging anywhere from an hour-three hours, Alvarado heads to a weight gym and lifts for about an hour and a half. 

Alvarado recently competed at the 2020 U.S.A Boxing National Championships. This tournament was originally scheduled for Dec. 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pushed back. This tournament was the largest in USA Boxing history with 1,150 athletes competing, according to USA Boxing.

“I was surprised with the results.” said Alvarado. “I was dominating everybody else out there, and they were training with pros and really good camps… I’m just out here sparring kids.” 

Alvarado isn’t all about winning or losing though. When asked about his favorite experience in the sport of boxing thus far, he was quick to mention all the people he has met through the sport. Just as the kids see him as a role model, he has a few role models himself: his mother and his coaches. 

Aguilar’s ‘no stop attitude’ is inspiring to Alvarado. He is always trying to improve, according to Alvarado. His second coach, Joel Ramos, has an iron will and is always pushing himself and his athletes forward. This support from his coaches is necessary in this sport, according to Alvarado. Support from people outside of the sport is crucial too. 

“[My mom] always tells me, ‘You forge your own destiny and happiness,’” said Alvarado. “I need that support; you can’t do this sport alone.” 

Alvarado hopes to compete for Team U.S.A. one day at the Olympics. Preparation for this level of competition is just as much mental as it is physical. Your mental attitude has to be just as in shape as your physical appearance, according to Aguilar.  

“If I’m giving it my all in my training, and if I don’t slack and keep pushing even on the days I don’t want to go on, I know in my heart I will win,” said Alvarado.