The Guatemalan team arrived in Spain with three boxers. 17-year-old Hugo Amador Méndez Rodríguez has already qualified for the round of 16 under 57kg at the IBA World Junior Boxing Championships. He won the first fight by easy victory and, in the second, he faced the Hungarian Kruzito Kovacs. He won 5-0 and in the next fight he will face the Pole Kirill Globenko.
‘It was my first international fight. It was a bit difficult, I didn’t know what to expect and made some mistakes, but it was a pretty easy win. I rested a bit in the first fight for the easy win and now I’m starting to feel better and better. The preparations went well, we made a good camp. However, I had some obstacles; ever since i had my wisdom teeth removed i had to take some time off. After that it was fine,’ Mendez said.
He watched the movie “Rocky” with his father, and this sparked his interest in boxing.
“I have ADHD and I couldn’t stop moving, so this sport helped me a lot,” he explained.
The Guatemalan team reached the Youth World Cup with the support of the IBA.
‘I came to represent my team in Spain, it’s fantastic to be here. Thanks to the IBA for helping my nation come here to compete in this World Championship. I expect a lot of tough competition. I want to face the best of the best and test myself,” Mendez said.
‘I want to be world champion when I grow up. That’s all I thought of doing, and that’s all I want.”
