Young boxer is a role model for elementary youth

Intermountain Catholic

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Armando Jose Huerta is already successful a boxing, karate, and playing basketball. He has become a role model for younger kids because of his work ethic and polite manners.IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — "Armando Jose Huerta, an eighth grader, has become a role model for the students at Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School as a basketball and boxing champion," said Willie Price.

Price is the commissioner of the Parish Athletic Recreation Association (PARA) League, as well as the Utah State Boxing registration chairman. Price registers all boxers, doctors, and officials.

Armando is disciplined in boxing and basketball and works out in the gym four out of the five days during the week. He shadow boxes two to three rounds, goes on the bag for two or three rounds, and spar for four rounds. He also works out on the treadmill doing windsprints for 20 to 30 minutes at a high speed. He then sprints at an incline. His work out lasts about two hours. If he does not go for his work out he feels awful.

"You would not believe how many little kids come up to me at the fights and say they want to be like him," said Price. "These kids are 8 and 9 years old.

"He started out in karate when he was 5 years old, and did that until he was 10 years old" said Juanita Huerta, his mother. "That really helped him a lot. For a year after he turned 10 years old he was doing boxing and karate."

"I earned my high green belt in karate," said Armando. "Then I wanted to focus more on boxing."

"He won several trophies in national tournaments in karate," said Juanita. His boxing trainer is Rich Montoya.

"I wanted to get into boxing because I have always liked it as a kid," said Armando. "Ever since I was 5 years old, I couldn’t get into boxing because I was too young. So when I was 10 years old, my dad told me he would take me to a gym. We went to the Glendale Sorensen City Center, and that is where I started. Then recently I moved over to the Muay Thai Institute in Sugar House. The people who work out at the Muay Thai are much more serious about boxing."

Armando’s boxing tournament record is 21 wins and seven losses.

"That is really a good record for his age," said Price. "I am so proud of him and the example he is setting for so many young people, because in this day and age there are so many young kids on drugs and in gangs. To see somebody who is saying, ‘I am going to stay away from drugs, and live a clean life, and I am going to be somebody and do something,’ you have just got to pat him on the back and wish them all the luck in the world."

"From the time Armando could stand up and hold a basketball, he has been playing basketball. He is just a natural," said Juanita. "We also told him when he turned 5, he could start karate. So when he turned 5, he approached his dad to remind him.

"When he has to drop weight for a fight, he is really disciplined in his diet," said Juanita.

"Right now I weigh 120 pounds," said Armando. "But when I fight I drop to 112. If I stayed at 120, I would be fighting guys at 126 pounds.

"He eats a lot of protein," said Juanita. "But we are Hispanic and we eat a lot of tacos and tortillas, so I have to change his diet. I steam his chicken instead of fry it, and he cannot eat the tortillas. He has salad with lime as a dressing. Sometimes he does not like it, but he does it and I am so proud of him."

"He is always a gentleman," said Price. "It is hard for young people to be a gentleman. Sometimes they want to do crazy things and say crazy things. All the kids I see who get into boxing are not involved in drugs and gangs."

"It is hard, especially in the area we live in. That is all there is," said Juanita. "I try to keep my kids out of trouble. I hardly let them associate with the people in our neighborhood. That is why I sacrifice to get them into private school and in various activities."

Armando participated in the Ringside Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. He boxed in the matinee bouts in which there were 1,400 kids under 17 years of age participating. This is a world-wide tournament.

"We got there on Sunday and started our fights on Tuesday," said Armando. "I made it to Friday to the semi-finals. The kid I lost to had a reach advantage. He was taller, older, and had more experience.

"I would like to go to Judge Memorial Catholic High School next year" said Armando. "I am taking Spanish, geometry, and science at Judge now."

According to a Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance taken in 2007 by the Department of Health and Human Services, among high school age boys in Utah, one in four is obese or over weight; one in 10 has attempted suicide in the past year; one in four has carried a weapon; one in eight has packed a gun; one in six currently drinks alcohol; one in 10 uses marijuana; and one in 12 has used cocaine, heroin, or meth; and one in seven Utah high school age girls has been raped during her life.