By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
It’s fitting that the Hawaii International Boxing Club’s home base is built with simple concrete bricks because that’s where the blue-collar values of discipline and hard work, in that particular order, are reinforced every day.
Sergio Mamone runs the HIBC, basically, out of a backyard training room at his house near Panaewa Gym, where the duty of mixed martial arts preparation begins at 5 a.m. and doesn’t stop until a late-night session has been completed.
Six HIBC members are fighting at Just Scrap at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Edith Kanakaole Multipurpose Stadium.
In the pro events are Riquo Abadilla (0-1) at catch-weight 130 pounds; Delbert Grace (3-2) at 205; and Raymond Lopez (1-0) at 205.
In the amateur bouts are Yahshua Mims (2-2) for the 185 Just Scrap title; Chris Wilson (debut) at 115; and Matt Majamay (3-1) for the 155 title.
Mamone’s club also trains at the Waiakea Rec Center, which offers the convenience of nice lighting and lots of space.
But Rocky Balboa would forsake some place like that, going somewhere else that reminds him of his underdog, underprivileged roots.
That’s why Mamone’s guys all sing the same song of camaraderie, as well as assistant coaches Jason Cuba, Shayne Pung and Albert Rosas, whose daughter Kira De Morales injured her shoulder before the last U.S. Boxing Olympic Trials in September and will turn pro.
“I like to run it like judo, where you have respect,” Mamone said. “I have high expectations of my guys. I want them to have discipline and sportsmanship. All of that is from Pops.
“All the guys have totally different personalities and we had to adjust the camp to their strengths, whether it’s stand-up or ground. But everyone has been dedicated. We’ve been training hard since September.”
Pops is Walt Carvalho Sr., who used to run the HIBC and moved to California to open his own gym and train UFC fighters.
“All of the kids have a story behind them,” Mamone said. “None of them have had it easy. They’ve had rough backgrounds and had their struggles.”
Rocky Ray
When Mamone first met Lopez, he was homeless and living at Wailoa State Park. Mamone convinced him to join the HIBC and the direction of Lopez’ life took a positive turn.
Lopez, 23, works for Royal Hawaiian Movers and has been with the HIBC for four years.
At 5 feet 7, Lopez rarely faces a light heavyweight foe the same size, even when he was an amateur.
There’s strategic advice he can take from the 5-4 Mamone, nicknamed Da Monster, who ran up a 5-0 pro record knocking out bigger opponents.
“All the guys I face are taller and have a reach advantage,” Lopez said. “I have to get inside and work the body. I love fighting taller guys because I’m shorter and always the underdog.
“You want to come forward and never back up, especially against a tall guy. You don’t want to be on the outside where he can hit you, and you always want to be swinging.”
Mr. Excitement
The difference between amateurs and pros is that pros get paid; amateurs don’t, like all sports.
However, once a fighter turns pro, their record is permanent. It’s hard to market someone with a losing record.
The easiest guys to market or sell to promoters are those who entertain the crowd.
Grace, 31, is on the comeback of building his resume as an All-or-Nothing fighter. He’ll either knock someone out or go down swinging.
His three wins are by technical knockout. One loss is by knockout, the other by TKO.
He’s been with the HIBC for 11 years, but last fought in 2010, taking a hiatus with the birth of his son Isaiah, in February, 2011.
Grace is a resident manager and works in construction. His busy schedule can be taxing, but rewarding as well.
“It’s super hard, especially training at 5 in the morning, going to work and training again,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s draining. But I like the feeling of knocking someone out and people coming up to you and saying, ‘Good fight,’ even if you lose. It makes the sacrifices worth it.”
Amateur guys
Mims, 25, will battle former Honokaa and UH-Hilo basketball player Kien Aviero for the Just Scrap middleweight title.
Aviero is 6 feet and Mims is three inches taller. He’s been with the HIBC for two years.
Mims has been working in construction at Mauna Kea and took a semester off at UHH, where he was studying business management.
He’s found a good fit with the HIBC.
“They’re all solid guys, good guys,” Mims said. “I’m excited to fight.”
Wilson, 20, is a Connections graduate and a family connection led him to the HIBC.
Majamay will take on Kaeo Meyers for the lightweight title.
“I just want to fight my hardest,” he said. “I’ve been with HIBC for a year and the coaches push me hard, and teach me to be humble, and to never give up.”
Riquo’s tale
Like Lopez, Abadilla, 26, had a rough upbringing, homeless as a sixth grader and locked up for four months as a 17-year-old.
He was with the HIBC at 13 years old when Pops was running the club and his life also changed for the better.
Abadilla is coming off a loss three months ago on Oahu, so he can’t afford to take another hit on his record.
“I’ll be ready for whatever,” he said about his foe, Tyler Leopoldino. “If I get a chance to finish, I’ll take it. I need it, especially after I lost.”
It’s true what Mamone said. His fighters have different personalities. But like the bricks at the HIBC Panaewa training gym, they’re all built the same way.
“What I’ve been taught here is to be humble and show true sportsmanship,” said Abadilla, who remodels houses. “When I stop fighting, I’ll help train kids. That’s my love for the future for HIBC.”
For more information about the HIBC, contact Mamone at damonstermamone@yahoo.com.
