Newspaper Personality Feature Story

Deanna Kelley
Duncanville HS (Duncanville, Texas)

Luis Yanez fighting for the gold

In the ring he is quick and powerful. He has recorded 225 wins and 30 knockouts. Now senior Luis “Danger” Yanez is preparing to co-captain the US boxing team at the 2008 World Olympics in Beijing, China.

“Walking up the podium with a gold medal around my neck has always been a dream,” Yanez said.

He will be competing as 106 lb lightweight fighter for the US team after winning his qualifying rounds last month.

“Winning was all I could think about,” Yanez said as he reminisced about his last fights.

Thousands cheered when the final bell rang, signifying Yanez’s victory and making of the US team. His dad, Bulmaro Yanez, his friend Julio, 2004 Gold Medalist boxer Andre Ward and Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield were there to watch the fight.

“So many things went through my mind when Luis won,” trainer Dennis Rodarte said. “All of his hard work and dedication has paid off.”

Before Yanez reached his fame and glory, he has to learn the hard knocks of life. Although his younger years were tough, he learned to be a top-notch boxer.

“When he was young he would cut corners, but as he got older he learned what it took to be on top,” Mr. Rodarte said. “The harder he trained, the easier his matches got.”

His father encouraged him at the tender age of eight to become a boxer.

“There are teenagers today drinking, selling drugs, and getting into trouble, but boxing keeps his mind focused,” Mr. Yanez said.

Boxing isn’t the only thing that keeps him moving forward. His favorite boxer and mentor Hector Beltran keeps him on the right track in life.

“He is kind of a brother to me. It’s good that I can take him under my wing,” Mr. Beltran said. “Not only do I give him advice about boxing, I teach him about life as well.”

Yanez trains vigorously at the GTO boxing club in Oak Cliff. He puts in four hours a day and runs four to six miles on his days off and weekends.

“ I always increase my training as I win matches whether it’s running more or working on more drills,” Luis said.

He has traveled to twenty countries and won numerous awards. In the midst of his hectic schedule he still finds time to give back to the community. He travels to elementary schools to talk to kids about his career and informs students about how important it is to stay in school and get an education.

“I just want the kids to know that they have a champion in their city,” Luis said.

His elementary school teacher approached him recently about talking to the kids. He accepted the opportunity as a chance to improve one of his weaknesses.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity for him,” Mr. Rodarte said. “He still gets nervous talking to hundreds of kids, but he enjoys it.”

Due to his traveling he will be unable to enjoy senior activities such as prom, but with the help of PACE he will graduate by the end of the semester, making room for his boxing dreams.

“Luis is the personification of perseverance,” PACE principal Kevin Butler said. “He is the ideal example of what you can do when you put your heart, mind and soul into a goal.”

For Yanez, being the first U.S. boxer to make the U.S.A. team since Donald Curry in the 1980’s is an honor. However, being the first in his family to get a diploma and attend college is his top goal.

“Some people say that I should get a GED, but I don’t want to be like those people who just get a piece of paper,” Luis said. “I want to be an inspiration to my little brother and sisters.”