If you have not heard of Donna, Texas, you're about to. Just like a pair of fighting brothers out of Weslaco, Omar, and Brandon Figueroa, put their hometown on the boxing map over the past decade. There's a pair of brothers from nearby Donna who are poised to do the same for their south Texas city. Xavier and Ranulfo have both been outstanding amateurs, winning countless tournaments. It's now time for the elder Bocanegra brother, Xavier, to turn pro and he will do so on April 9th at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on a nationally televised Showtime card that will be headlined by Erickson Lubin vs Sebastian Fundora.
Its been quite a journey for the young man from Donna. From training in his parent's garage to training in Ronnie Shields's famed Plex Gym. A gym that is home to the likes of world champs like Jermall Charlo, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Erislandy Lara, and touted prospects like David Morrell. One of the most prestigious boxing gyms in the country is now home to another touted prospect Xavier Bocanegra. On a visit to Plex Gym to spar, Bocanegra performed well and caught the attention of the famed trainer. Bocanegra recalls the sparring session "we came for sparring and he [Ronnie Shields] saw me spar and stop a guy, he was impressed and from there he started calling us."
Bocanegra, an 8X national champion, had over 130+ amateur fights and got into boxing because he was a trouble maker in school as a youngster "I started when I was 8, I was a trouble maker always in school, I had ADHD. that [Boxing] is what I had to do to calm down I had to get into boxing. I tried every sport football, basketball, everything but I wanted boxing." Bocanegra said. Despite his incredible accolades, it didn't get off to a smooth start for the Rio Grande Valley native "I started off kinda rough. As I got older I started putting in that work and it really paid off" It didn't come easy but he credits his hard work. That incredible and relentless work ethic is a common trend amongst the fighters in the Rio Grande Valley. Fighters like Brandon Figueroa and Omar, and Sebastian Juarez are always credited for their tireless work ethic.
The work ethic among fighters from the 956 has certainly been well documented as the Valley has become one of the premier hotbeds for boxing. Bocanegra stated where that passion comes from "you gotta have that drive you gotta want it you gotta want to be the best. Everyone putting in that work Everyones trying to get our everyone's trying to find their own path."
The work ethic Bocanegra learned in the amateurs will certainly bode well for the youngster as he moves to the professional ranks "you gotta work twice as hard" he said. The hard work has brought great confidence for the south Texan who said of moving to the professional ranks from the amateurs "It's going to be better because I am a puncher" losing the headgear and lacing up smaller gloves certainly does benefit a puncher like Bocanegra who says the power is "God-given"
Bocanegra is well prepared and has gotten world-class training ahead of his pro debut at Plex Gym, he has sparred mainly with Brandon Figueroa, a former 122-pound world champ and one of the premier young fighters in the world period. "it's one of the best experiences you can get a former world champion, it helps your mentality cause no one can throw like him he keeps coming and he doesn't stop. I am sparring with the best so I gotta push it"
The pro debut takes place on April 9th at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on the undercard of Lubin -Fundora that airs on Showtime. An incredible showcase for the 18-year old that he describes as "a dream come true"