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Going the distance

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From left, Roberto Flores, trainer/coach Troy Carter and Ruben Ozuna are working together to bring out the youngster's pugilistic skills in the boxing ring in the "Tramps to Champs" boxing club in Arcadia..

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: December 1, 2009

SEBRING - Troy Carter has been around the sport of boxing for most of his life and working with young boxers is his passion.

Carter, a veteran trainer and coach, has a new and talented protege in Ruben Ozuna to work with, and the 15-year-old boxer has quickly made a name for himself.

Ozuna, who has won his weight class at the Florida state championships the past seven years, recently won the 119-pound weight class at the Police Athletic League Nationals in San Antonio, Texas.

"I've been working with Ruben since he was four," said Carter. "He's equally balanced with his right or left hand and he's very dedicated. He's very strong for his size and has the power to hurt his opponents with either hand."

Ozuna also displayed great ability and resolve in winning three bouts to place second at the World Boxing tournament in Kansas City, Kan.

"The competition was tough at the World Tournament," said Ozuna. "But I fought well and made it to the finals where I lost to Julian Rodriguez, who is a real good fighter.

"To be ranked second overall in my weight class makes me very proud."

Ozuna has been boxing since he was 4 years old and likes the fact that he can go in the gym and work out any frustrations that he may have.

"I like the physical aspect of the sport and the chance to get rid of my problems when I'm training and working out in the gym," the young fighter said. "I love to box and to fight in front of a crowd is a real thrill."

Ozuna trains at DeSoto's Road Warriors gym, the Downtown Athletic Club and with Carter's "Tramps to Champs" boxing club in Arcadia with other young aspiring boxers like Roberto Flores, who is just learning the nuances of the demanding sport.

"Boxing is something that I've wanted to do for a while," said Flores. "I like learning about punching and hitting the big bag. It's a tough sport, but I'm enjoying learning all about it."

Ozuna, who gets up at 4 a.m. every day to train, is set to compete in the prestigious Florida State Silver Gloves boxing tournament on Friday and Saturday in Okeechobee against some of the top youngsters in the Sunshine State.

A win in the state Silver Gloves competition would send Ozuna to the regional event in South Carolina, and a win there would send him to Missouri for the national finals.

"My goal is to win and get to the finals in Missouri," said Ozuna. "I've been training and working hard and I think I have the talent to reach the finals."

Ozuna has an even bigger goal of making the USA boxing team and reaching the 2012 Olympics.

"Ruben can go to the Olympic boxing trials when he's 16," said Carter. "His goal is to box well and be the youngest to make the Olympic team and compete in the 2012 Olympics at 18.

"I've had a few other fighters that were talented and turned pro, but Ruben is ahead of them at this age."

Ozuna is right-handed, but his left hand is the more powerful of the two.

"I'm right-handed, but I hit harder with my left hand and that catches my opponents off guard," Ozuna said. "That makes them unsure and it's hard for them to adjust to what I'm doing."

Ozuna's goal of making the Olympic team is a lofty one, but one that can be reached if he stays dedicated and things work out for him.

"Ruben is very talented and has a lot potential," said Carter. "But he has a lot of work to do to become a complete boxer. I want him to be able to go up and down and punch with power in both of his hands.

"I think he can be a great boxer and if he could achieve his goal of making the Olympic team that would serve as an example for other kids of what hard work and sacrifice can do if you put your mind to it."

For Ozuna, the lofty goals are ones that he plans on attaining.

"I love boxing and everything that goes with it," he said. "I'm not quitting until I accomplish everything I want."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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