(Courtesy Photo)
By CATHERINE DONNELLY
Special to the NEWS
n 2005, with a lifelong passion for the sport, professional boxer and Coach Abel Fonseca II embarked on a mission to bring the “sweet science” to the students of Fred Booth Elementary’s after-school program.
This humble initiative evolved into a remarkable journey that shaped the lives of many young athletes and culminate in the rise of professional boxers from the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Utilizing the school’s cafeteria as a makeshift gym, Fonseca and his students dedicated themselves to the sport, training from 6:30–8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. But unlike a typical gym experience, after each practice session, the boxers and parents worked alongside Fonseca, pitching in to mop the floors and set up the cafeteria for the following day’s breakfast.
“The program thrived in those early days mostly because it was fueled by parental support and community generosity, with pizzas and fruits and even a little elbow grease provided after practice,” said Fonseca. “Whatever the need was, it would be quickly filled.”
Fonseca soon began taking his students to compete in boxing tournaments around the Rio Grande Valley, and even as far as Missouri for the prestigious Ringside World Tournament.
One standout moment came when a young boxer named Santana Sanchez from Ed Downs Elementary made it to the semifinals of the Ringside World Tournament, facing off against formidable opponents from places like Puerto Rico, Mexico and Hawaii. Though the match ended in a close decision loss to a Canadian boxer, it was a testament to the Fonseca’s impact on the local youth that he was training within the program.
Fonseca eventually established his own gym, attracting students from San Benito and beyond who were drawn to his commitment to excellence and love for the sport. The new home provided a better and more appropriate environment for their rigorous training.
Recently, Fonseca witnessed a significant milestone in his growth as a coach when one of his former students, 30-year-old Ricardo Camacho, made his professional boxing debut this past weekend. Camacho is 5’ 4” and was fearlessly competing with a 6’ tall boxer. Despite the match ending in a No Contest ruling due to Camacho getting cut from his opponent’s accidental headbutt, it was a proud moment for Fonseca to see one of his own athletes competing in the professional arena.
Ricardo’s 25-year-old younger brother Edwardo Camacho also grew up honing his skills in Fonseca’s after-school program and is now set to follow in his brother’s footsteps and make his professional debut on the same card as his brother in an upcoming bout in Brownsville on April 27.
Those interested in the after school boxing program or the upcoming fights featuring the Camacho brothers, can contact Fonseca at abelfonsecaii@hotmail.com or call 956-456-6859.
As Fonseca looks to the future, with the Camacho brothers poised to make their mark in the professional boxing world, he remains committed to his mission of nurturing talent, instilling discipline, and providing opportunities for young athletes to realize their full potential.
Abel Fonseca II’s dad, Sonny Fonseca was a popular longtime high school coach in San Benito. The elder Fonseca gave his children a love of sports and fostered an atmosphere for his sons to develop into stellar athletes.
From the school cafeteria to the professional ring, Abel Fonseca II’s boxing program has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for local aspiring athletes, proving that with dedication, passion, and perseverance, anything is possible.
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