By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Over the past several years, Aneudy “Junior” Rios has been one of the top amateur boxers in the Grand Rapids area. During his amateur career he has won 50 bouts and four Golden Gloves state championships.
Rios is competing in his final Golden Gloves this year, but before turning pro, he is looking to end his amateur boxing career in a big way.
Going for a fifth state title
Rios takes the next step in his quest to winning a fifth state championship in the open division at the semifinals of the West Michigan Golden Gloves scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Grand Rapids West Catholic High School.
“I feel like this year is my year for sure,” Rios said. “I won last year, but I feel like this year I am in better shape than I was last year. I’m at a different weight class and I feel more focused and more consistent. I’ve lost weight and I’m boxing at 132 pounds this year.”
Rios won his opening-night match April 1 and faces a challenge in the semifinals where he goes up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA in the semifinal match.
Not only does Rios have a goal of winning the state title this year, but he also wants to take it a step further at the National Golden Gloves tournament this May in Philadelphia. After that, Rios wants to earn a spot in the Olympic Trials where he will try to make the 2024 United State Olympic Boxing team.
Turning pro soon
“This is my last year of amateur boxing before turning pro,” Rios said. “My goal is the Olympics. I have one more national trial in December where I can earn a spot at the Olympic Trials.”
Rios, age 26, has come a long way in the sport of boxing since he first stepped foot in a gym 10 years ago. A four-time open division champion, Rios has fashioned an amateur record of 50-9. He also reached the semifinals of the National Golden Gloves in 2017.
Rios got his start in boxing at the former Wyoming Pride Gym that was open from 2012 to 2019.
Began boxing at 16
“I started boxing when I was 16-years old,” Rios said. “I was a street kid, and a lady, we call her Momma G, took me to the fights and introduced me to coach Alex Fernandez. I fell in love with boxing as soon as I stepped in the gym. I started going to the Wyoming Pride Gym and that was where I met my coach, Anbrocio Ledesma. Coach Ledesma has always been like a father-figure to me. I call him dad and he calls me son.”
Rios trained at Wyoming Pride until the gym closed in 2019 when the landlord needed the space for another venture.
Since then, Rios has sparred at other gyms in the area while also training at a gym coach Ledesma created in a heated garage on his property. Currently, Rios and Guillermo Mercado are both training under Ledesma.
“I’m a full-time dad, a full-time worker and a full-time boxer,” Rios said. “When I get out of work, I head over to Anbrocio’s and easily put in two to three hours a day working out. Anbrocio is a really good coach. He is great at strength and conditioning. Everything is precise and there is always a routine. I also get a lot of help from my sister, Andreina Torres, who helps watch my son (Gabriel) when I’m at the gym.”
Hard work paying off
The work Rios has been putting in over the years is paying off as Rios is one of the top amateur boxers in the state.
“Junior has put in a lot of hard work,” Ledesma said. “He also does what we ask him to do. He believes in my coaching style. Junior is very aggressive in the ring, but he also has a lot of skill, a lot of knowledge and a lot of quickness. Not only does he have very good hand speed, but he has very good footwork and that is hard to teach.
“You either have it or you don’t. He has the natural skills and he is also a hard worker who gets the most out of what he has.”
Ledesma believes Rios has what it takes to accomplish his goals.
“Junior looked pretty good in his fight last week,” Ledesma said. “As always, there is room for improvement and each opponent will test him in a little different way. Things are looking good for him as long as he keeps consistent in his training and his conditioning.
