| |
|
CARLOS BALDERAS GETS FIRST BOXING WIN FOR THE USA
By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Sun, 07 Aug 2016

Several weeks ago when Carlos Balderas came to our offices to get his mouthguard for the Rio2016 Olympics, he did not guarantee us that he will win the gold medal. However, he promised us that he will leave it all in the ring and give the performance of his life every time he steps in to fight.
On the opening day of the boxing events, Balderas fought his first Olympic match. The luck of the draw fitted him against a wily veteran from Kazakhstan, Berik Abrakhmanov.
In spite of being an Eastern European for some quirky reason, the predominantly Brazilian crowd favored the Kazak against the young Balderas.
But Balderas was not about to disappoint the almost two dozen supporters from the bucolic city of Santa Maria, CA.
Balderas gave it his all and ended beating the Kazak and in the process gave the young US Boxing Team an inspiration and an example to follow. He also gave himself an early birthday present. Balderas turns 20 on August 24th.
Yahoo sports quoted US coach, Billy Walsh as saying ?That was impressive?, in reference to Balderas? performance against the much experienced Kazak.
No one knows if Balderas will get his second win on Tuesday and go all the way to center podium with a gold medal in his neck.
But like he promised us, he will leave it all in the ring.
Top photo: Carlos Balderas (L) of the United States and Berik Abdrakhmanov of Kazakhstan meet on the opening day of the Olympics in Rio.

Balderas poses with the author.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026“The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando , Wed, 11 Mar 2026World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas , Wed, 11 Mar 2026Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Mar 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 11 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras , Tue, 10 Mar 2026153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO , Mon, 09 Mar 2026Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy? By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points. , Sun, 08 Mar 2026Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA , Sat, 07 Mar 2026Weights from Atlantic City , Sat, 07 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|