How a young boxer is growing inside and outside the ring
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AURORA, Colo. — Fabian Cobos, 15, couldn’t believe it when his hand broke during a boxing tournament.
In the third round of the Junior Golden Gloves tournament held in Longmont this last spring, Cobos slammed a right hook into his opponent and felt a sharp pain in his right hand. He felt that same pain with every ensuing punch he tried to throw and knew something was wrong.
With a day left in the tournament, Cobos didn’t have high hopes that he could continue in the competition and was ready to quit.
He ultimately decided to finish out the tournament — with one hand.
“I wouldn't want my pride to be hurt just because I didn't have my other hand,” Cobos said.
“To me, it was something that I had to prove myself and prove to everyone that I could beat anyone with just a single hand. So that’s what I went out and did.”
Fabian Cobos is ranked third nationally as a Junior male in the light welterweight division.
Photo: Peter Vo, Rocky Mountain PBS
Growing up in Aurora, Cobos fought for fun with his friends and felt inspired by Mike Tyson, who won his first boxing championship as a 15-year-old heavyweight in the 1981 Junior Olympics.
Cobos started boxing at the age of three and joined official boxing classes when he was eight. He’s been training ever since.
“I like being physical. I like hitting. And that's what I like doing, and will continue doing it,” Cobos said.
Cobos has a lot of support from his family to continue in the sport and put in the work to become a professional boxer.
“I have a bunch of people behind me, my family, my brother, my dad, they all help me through this. I'm grateful to be able to stand for them, and for them to stand behind me and help me,” said Cobos.
Cobos attends Colorado Early Colleges in Aurora, but when he’s not in school you’ll find him at the boxing gym.
He trains for two to three hours every day. From sparring with his boxing classmates to strength training, boxing is a physical sport that demands persistent conditioning, according to Carlos Rodriguez, Cobos’ coach.
“[Cobos] is pretty much the most dedicated kid I have here,” Rodriguez said. “He's here every day, an hour early. He loves this and he's dedicated.”
Rodriguez started coaching kids in Denver, right in his backyard, more than a decade ago. Though not a boxer himself, Rodriguez became fascinated by the combination of technical skills and intellect that high-level fighters develop and learned the sport as a coach to train kids to fight that same way professionally.
“It's like a chess match that you can really get into once you know what it's all about,” said Rodriguez.
After moving around over the years, Rodriguez has now found a home at the A1 Boxing gym in Aurora. In his class with Fabian, he coaches over a dozen other boxers.
Founded by Glenn Goodson in 2005, the boxing gym has provided a space for people to come learn about the sport and practice among others. Rodriguez has been coaching there for the last five years, and teaches kids from 11 to 17 years old.
“Honestly, I think that this is the best facility in Colorado,” Rodriguez said. “There's a lot of other good gyms, great gyms, great coaches, but we're definitely spoiled here.”
The gym relocated to the Aurora Mall three years ago and has attracted a lot of young boxers because of its location. Sharing the space with basketball courts, volleyball courts and the shopping center, the boxing center is in a busy hub.
“A1 is a great place. You could go here and feel welcomed by everyone, even if you're the worst boxer or the greatest boxer,” said Cobos. “You're going to be treated the same as everyone and you know you're going to be respected.”
Because the gym is open to everyone, there’s a drastic difference in skill levels and fighters who are training at the gym.
At one end, experienced fighters practice precise jabs, hooks and footwork, sparring with one another until the bell rings. On the other side of the gym, those new to the sport learn how to wrap their hands and put on boxing gloves.
At A1, Cobos is a veteran boxer to newcomers and takes his boxing experience seriously, supporting them with their training.
“Treat others the way you want to be treated,” said Cobos. “I feel like if I help others, then I'm going to learn off of it, too.”
During class, Cobos was quick to offer words of encouragement and guidance to the other fighters. Even with one hand, Cobos stood his ground and participated in every workout, helping others understand why boxing is important and how to approach it correctly.
“Boxing is a really dangerous sport,” Cobos said. “It’s a life or death sport, and if you could help someone in the sport, it’s best to do so.”
It’s estimated that 61% of amateur boxers sustain injuries.
“When [parents] are worried about boxing. I tell them that all the coaches here, including myself, our main priority is to make sure that the kids are safe,” said Rodriguez.
During practices, coaches monitor athletes, who wear headgear as they spar. Rodriguez is always watching to make sure that nothing gets out of hand.
In his years coaching, Rodriguez has never had to stop a fight during practice.
As his hand starts to heal — and with his cast finally off — Cobos wants to continue to improve in time for his new goal: the 2024 National Junior Olympics held in Kansas from June 22 through June 29.
To enter the Olympics, Junior males must have participated in a minimum 20 fights and have a 50% win percentage. Cobos qualified with a 28-8 record.
To enter the Olympics, Junior males must have participated in a minimum 20 fights and have a 50% win percentage. Cobos qualified with a 28-8 record.
Rodriguez believes that if Cobos is successful in the tournament, he’ll claim the top spot and win gold.
But through his time coaching, Rodriguez has learned that it’s not all about accolades and placements. He said it’s more about watching the kids grow and learn about life then it is about how skilled they can be as fighters.
To Rodriguez, boxing and life skills go hand in hand.
“I teach them to have direction in life and know what they want when they wake up in the morning and know where they're going every day,” he said. “My philosophy is showing these kids life.”
Peter Vo is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. Petervo@rmpbs.org