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Welcome back U.S. flyweight Benitez returns home for Goodwill Games
Posted: Monday July 27, 1998 10:09 PM
NEW YORK (CNN/SI) -- Two years ago, Roberto Benitez left the rugged streets of New York City and found refuge in rural Marquette, Michigan, the site of the United States Olympic Education Center (USOEC) at Northern Michigan University. The USOEC serves an important role in the development of American athletes, combining training and educational studies. Benitez and three others are products of the program and members of the United States boxing team at the Goodwill Games in New York City. The Brooklyn-born Benitez grew up on Manhattan's lower east side, which is minutes away from the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Goodwill Games boxing venue. "It is a pleasure to be back home fighting here in front of the hometown crowd," said an obviously elated Benitez. "That is something that is motivating me. This is going to make me fight better, compete better, with the support of my family and friends." The son of Dominican parents, Benitez started boxing at the age of 10. His father, boxing enthusiast Jesus, influenced the young Benitez to take up the sport. "He took me to the Boys' Club and that where I started," the younger Benitez recalled. "I never thought I was going to take it this far. I was like the rest of the kids, playing around. I was 80 pounds and I just got into it. It kept me out of trouble." But Benitez got serious and made strides in the junior program, which schools boxers between the ages of 8-16. After winning the Junior Olympic Championship in 1996, he and trainer George Ayala decided the young fighter was going to move to Michigan, leaving but not forgetting his family. "I did so I could advance in my education and learn more, for my boxing skills," said Benitez. "I really wasn't doing anything here. I knew I had to make that move to Michigan so I could become a better person, to work toward my future and goals in boxing and in my education." Relocating to his new rural environment proved ideal for Benitez. He worked hard in the classroom and under the tutelage of new coach Al Mitchell. After placing third in the U.S Championships earlier this year, Benitez peaked at the right time in June at the U.S. Challenge in Colorado Springs. "He has made me a much better fighter," Benitez said of Mitchell. "We have a good relationship and I listen to his instructions real well." "The key with a young athlete like Roberto is push him out there and let him get the feeling," Mitchell said. "He is a great person. It is a rarity you get an athlete like him. He is smart, intelligent, [has] great athletic skills but he also has good academics. He gets excellent school marks, but he's got the personality." At the U.S. Challenge, Benitez outboxed Clarence Vinson and John Medina, the top two fighters in his weight class, propelling him to the Goodwill Games. The two victories also earned Benitez the top U.S. ranking. But the road gets tougher in his native New York, where Benitez meets Manuel Mantilla of Cuba on Tuesday. Mantilla is the reigning world champion and is the world's top-ranked amateur flyweight. "I'm focused for the fight," said the soft-spoken Benitez. "I watched tapes of Cuban fighters, but I have a lot of movement and I've got to fight a smart fight." Benitez, who recently finished high school and plans to study business in college, hopes to celebrate his 18th birthday on Thursday in style. "I've been getting ready with Team USA," he said. "We have been training real hard for the past two months. I feel that we are all ready, ready to take on the best. He has more experience, but I have heart and determination."
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