Former Paso High stand-out athlete Colton Madrigal steps into the ring
Former PRHS stand-out athlete Colton Madrigal gets some pointers from Knock Out Boxing Gym Owner and Trainer Adriel Pebenito during a recent sparring match. Photo by Meagan Friberg
Madrigal earns a TKO in his first USA Boxing sanctioned amateur fight
Paso boxer Colton Madrigal earns a win by TKO in his first amateur boxing fight on March 14 in Fresno. Courtesy photo
As a high school athlete, Colton Madrigal made a name for himself on dozens of football fields and wrestling mats. Now he has found a new arena to showcase his prowess and sheer athleticism – in the boxing ring. With his first win, in his first-ever amateur match, Madrigal defeated Mauricio Lopez by TKO with three seconds remaining in the third round on March 14.
The match, part of the Battle In Da Hood Boxing Show, a USA Boxing sanctioned amateur event, took place at Velarde’s Training Center in Fresno and had Madrigal, 20, facing off against Lopez, 30.
A 2013 graduate of Paso Robles High School, Madrigal participated all four years at the high school in football and wrestling. A starter on both sides of the ball as a running back and safety, he was captain of the Bearcats football team his senior year and racked up numerous honors including First Team All-County, First Team All League and Most Valuable Offensive player for SLO County at the annual FCA football game. As a wrestler, Madrigal’s accolades continued; he was 2-time All-League, 2-time CIF placer, 2-time Masters Placer, and earned a seventh place medal at the 2013 CIF State Boys’ Wrestling Championships.
His dedication and drive as a high school athlete and, indeed, since competing in sports beginning at the age of seven, have played a large part in Madrigal’s newfound success as a boxer, according to Knock Out Boxing Gym Owner and Trainer Adriel Pebenito.
“When Colton first walked in my door, I knew that he was a born athlete,” said Pebenito. “In all of my years of boxing and training boxers, I have seen that those who have been involved with football, wrestling, soccer, track and sports that use a lot of footwork will transfer over really well into boxing. I knew Colton had all the right tools, I started working with him, and he was eager to learn.”
Colton Madrigal, right, spars with Brian Martinez at Knock Out Boxing Gym. Photo by Meagan Friberg
Pebenito has more than 30 years of fight minutes behind him and was one of the first pro boxers out of SLO County. He grew up in Atascadero, put on gloves at the age of 5 and starting fighting when he was 12. Over the years, he has been an assistant coach and head trainer at other gyms before opening Knock Out Boxing Gym in 2013.
When Pebenito asked Madrigal if he ever thought about competing, he said, “a light bulb seemed to turn on.” From that moment on, he said he witnessed a steady improvement and commitment to the sport from Madrigal.
“Colton started training with such intensity and, after a few months, we got a fight for him and he did great,” said Pebenito. “The guy he fought had 10 years on him, but Colton had youth on his side, along with strength, speed and technicality.”
Colton Madrigal brings his power to the boxing ring. Photo by Meagan Friberg
After spending some time on the football fields of Bakersfield College and Alan Hancock College, Madrigal moved back to Paso Robles to be closer to family. Now attending Cuesta College and working on the ranch at Booker Winery, he’s always liked watching boxing matches and thought it might be a good fit for his next sport of choice.
“I knew it was something that I wanted to try,” said Madrigal, “and I knew there was a good boxing gym in town. I’ve been training for about seven or eight months now and not only does boxing keep me in shape but I have truly fallen in love with the sport. I like that it is an individual sport, but with Knock Out Boxing it is also like being part of a big family; all of the boxers help each other and there is a lot of respect and discipline.”
Madrigal said it took about three months of training and conditioning before he had first sparring match in the gym. and that he continues to work on his technique. Currently, he trains Monday through Saturday and also gets in daily runs on his own.
Up next, Madrigal is set to fight in a match as part of Enter the Lion’s Den, a USA Boxing sanctioned event on Saturday, March 28 at Central Coast Boxing, located at 736 East Oak Avenue in Santa Maria. Check out www.facebook.com/KnockOutBoxingGym to follow Madrigal and other local boxers as they train and compete.
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