Sometimes it's those fights in life that have nothing to do with a ring or cage that tend to bring us out of our seats more than the ones that do.
The fights with real stories of struggle, adversity, and the people tied to them.
Colorado's boxing authority Paulino 'The Finisher' Ibarra knows all too well these types of life battles that often cross over into the ring.
In this case, it's the story of his aspiring 21 year old nephew Tim Ibarra who is fighting on the 'X-Plosion Legacy Of Warriors' card Friday night at 'Red And Jerry's'.
After suffering unthinkable losses over the years of first his younger sister and then his dad, Tim will step between the ropes on that evening heavy hearted but with all the experience and motivation of 'Team Ibarra' behind him.
Paulino made it clear what the debut means to the family.
"This professional debut for my nephew Tim Ibarra has been a long time coming. He was an '08 Olympic trials finalist. He came in third but you have to make first to make the Olympic team. He did that all within three years and over sixty amateur fights. He has all kinds of boxing talent."
After losing his six year old sister, Tim had taken some time off not knowing if he wanted to pursue his champion aspirations anymore. Facing another loss, this time his father, he was able to re-ignite his passion for the sport with the support of his Uncle Paulino.
"I thought for sure he was going to be done with it (boxing) after he lost his dad because he had already quit after losing his sister but he came back wanting to box. He hit up the gym and asked for a professional fight, he'd had enough of the amateur's.
"He wanted us to train him."
After many hours logged, the team felt comfortable lining up a quality opponent for Tim in his first outing as a pro.
"He's been in the gym a good seven months now. We got him the pro fight he wanted, he'll be fighting at 117 against a kid we fought in the amateurs before. He's a guy that had a good amateur career and has 2 pro fights already at 1-1.
"I hate to say it, but a lot of these fighters fight bums, fighting a guy that already has a couple of losses so they can get their first win. It's big that we didn't do that. It pumped us up."
If the night wasn't going to be special enough, there will be an added voice in the corner this time out. One that brings it's own story of overcoming life's obstacles.
"We brought in a kid (Andre) that used to train with us to be my corner man and help me out. At around twenty-four years old he had to have a pacemaker put in. His boxing career is done now. He was doing pretty good with about four fights with us and then he got sick.
"He came to me saying he couldn't box ever again. He wanted to know what he could still do and I said he could help me out in the gym, that I would teach him what I know and make him a coach. My nephew wanted him in his corner."
Win or lose, this one is more than just another fight for everyone involved.
"This was the first camp we went into without my brother, he was a big influence on us all. It will be his (Tim's) first fight without his pops.
"This night means everything to us."
Get out and support Colorado boxing this Friday night with a full combat card on tap that also includes MMA and kickboxing.
You can still get tickets for the event by contacting Paulino Ibarra at 970 388 2827 and also by calling 720 298 1954.
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See you at the fights!
