Jimrex Jaca has spent about two weeks in the United States, and already his pockets have a little jingle, his future seems a little brighter, and most importantly, his stomach finally feels full.
Jaca ventured across the Pacific a few weeks ago in search of a better life ? at least one that will pay him more than $4 for weeks of training for a four-round match.
Since he started boxing professionally six years ago, Jaca has seen purses equal the number of rounds he?s fought in the Philippines. Four-rounders netted less than the minimum wage in the U.S; Six-rounders barely pushed him over; Eight-rounders were twice as much as the four-round variety and, well, 10-rounders were delightful by the impoverished standards in the Philippines.
Once he fought for a Filipino title belt, where he earned a career-high $15 for his efforts. His manager took half, and left Jaca with about $5 after the up-and-coming star paid his corner.
“Those days are over,” assistant trainer and camp coordinator James Gouge said.
Two days after Americans celebrate the anniversary of a new beginning with grand Thanksgiving feasts, Jaca also hopes to mark a new beginning for himself, and his wife and child waiting for him back home.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old Filipino fighter will see one of the largest cash-bouts of his career when he steps into the ring to take on Juan Manuel Marquez in the main event at Dodge Arena. Jaca (26-2-1 overall with 11 knockouts) takes on Marquez (45-3-1, 34 KOs) for the WBO featherweight championship in a scheduled 12-round bout.
Jaca, who is under a three-bout contract and being promoted by Oscar De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions, will see perhaps his biggest payday to date when HBO?s Boxing After Dark hits the Rio Grande Valley for the second time in as many months.
But the fight in the ring in no way mirrors the fight for survival back home.
LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Life in the Philippines is rough, and some say it?s rougher than the streets of Reynosa just a few miles south of Hidalgo.
Back home, 40 percent of the population live below the poverty line, and salaries are about 4 ? times less than their American counterparts. For the sometimes shady sport of boxing, these numbers could be even more staggering.
Area boxing sources agreed that boxers sometimes get exploited. Local promoter Julio Marines said that once his fighter, Weslaco?s Roberto Garcia, earned was $40 for a bout in Mexico. But Garcia was compensated by his promoter and sponsors to allow him a living in the sport, and outside contributions aren?t always the case. Such isn?t the case in the Philippines, he said.
One can count Jaca among the exploited. Aside from minimal winnings and high managerial costs, Jaca didn?t have proper equipment for training.
But with all that has gone wrong for Jaca, there is a simple reason for the up-and-coming star to keep moving on.
“They don?t know anything else,” Gouge said. “Most people make $30-40 a month (in the Philippines).”
“Boxing is what I love, and my family supports me,” Jaca said.
Gogue, who is helping Jaca and his corner prepare for arguably the biggest fight of his career, said he thrown off when he saw Jaca and his entourage step off the airplane.
“When he came here, he got off the plane and had two little bags,” Gouge said, noting that most camps bring in loads of baggage for the week before a fight.
His longtime trainer, Jun Bubuli, owned just one pair of shoes given to him by the camp of another Filipino fighter and national hero Manny Pacquiao.
“Those shoes are the only shoes he has,” Gouge said, pointing to his trainer?s shoes that are 1 ? sizes too big.
Jaca?s reality back in the Philippines set in quickly during their first run in the RGV a few weeks ago. Gouge had Jaca hitting the trail when Jaca kept looking up at the power lines and trees where swarms of grackles were sitting tight.
“He saw the black birds and said, ?In the Phillipines, I shoot and I eat,? ” Gouge said.
Money, equipment, clothing and now food appeared to be among the rarities evident in Jaca?s life back home.
“He?s been living in poverty all his life,” Gouge said.
But since his arrival in the Valley, Jaca has seen welcomed changes.
Outpouring has been great for Jaca since his arrival in the U.S. He?s had a local group of fellow countrymen visit during his training sessions, and Marines has shown Jaca around town.
“They welcome him with open arms,” Jaca?s interpreter Lenin Miranda said. “There are a lot of Filipinos that come around to see him.”
Marines has taken Jaca and his corner to Mexican restaurants like Tico?s, La Casa Del Taco and some seafood restaurants, too.
“He loves Mexican food,” Miranda said.
Jaca is thousands of miles from his homeland, but being in the RGV makes it a bit more bearable.
“This reminds (me) of back home,” Jaca said. “The weather is pretty much the same, but it?s a lot cleaner here.”
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Golden Boy Promotions hears a lot of referrals concerning fighters, with many hoping to land representation from the company. But few get second looks.
Jaca was one of those few.
When Manny Pacquiao, a living legend in his country, referred his fellow countryman Jaca to Golden Boy Promotions, they took a look and liked what they say. Jaca?s rough life story also hit a nerve.
“They come from humble beginnings, and you can?t help but lend your ear and your time,” said Raul Jaimes, executive vice-president of Golden Boy promotions. “When they get an opportunity to get out of there it?s a blessing for them. We feel good about it. These are the type of fighters that give it their all.”
Jaca was signed up for three fights, win or lose, but De La Hoya and his company feel Jaca will be a force to watch in the future.
So, with backing from Golden Boy Promotions and a nice signing bonus, Jaca and his crew left for the tropical confines of the Rio Grande Valley a few weeks ago.
Arriving with practically nothing, local businessmen and boxing fans have shared a little with Jaca and his corner.
Marines also has invited Jaca to his home for a Thanksgiving feast, and has given the fighter and his crew new clothing.
Once in the RGV, Jaca was approached by two local businesses ? owners of local nightspot Hillbilly?s and Eden M.D. Spa ? for a sponsorship opportunity. When Jaca was alerted that they were interested in handing him a few thousand dollars, he initially thought there was something shady about the deal. But Gogue assured him they were merely asking he sport their business?s names on his trunks on fight night, and he quickly agreed.
Life seems to have turned for the better, at least for the moment. Jaca still has a huge fight coming up in a few days, and a victory will catapult his career.
To prepare him, Gogue has Jaca sparring with one of the best and most exciting fighters around ? and Brownsville?s own ? Emmanuel Augustus.
“I know what we?re going up against,” Gouge said.
So with Gogue?s experience (he?s been in the business for 20-plus years) and sparring against Augustus, Jaca may have the tools to begin a new life in the United States, or at least begin a new life here, and finish it up back in Cebu City with his wife and child.
Now with Pacquiao?s victory over Erik Morales days old, the Philippines will focus on Jaca and his fight, which will air live there at 8 a.m. But with a nation watching over him, Jaca doesn?t feel an overbearing need to succeed.
“They?re going to be very happy over there,” Jaca said of his homeland. “There?s no added pressure.”
With his first of three fights scheduled under the watchful eye of Golden Boy Promotions, Jaca can be assured of one thing through his three-fight contract.
“Win or lose, we?re going to have some dinner,” Jaca said.
