Boxing and mixed martial arts grow organically in the Yellow City

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — To say Ernesto Rivas is a big boxing fan would be an understatement.

“I love boxing,” said Rivas, who participates in the Solano Legends Boxing Youth League, “and I plan to keep doing it.”

We caught up with Rivas after a few rounds at a recent boxing workout, and he told us that while it can be tiring, he likes training against his friends.

“Because we can hit each other. Sometimes we get mad at each other and we can vent,” Rivas said.

This is all in preparation for the Youth Championships in Hobbs, New Mexico on July 27th.

Martin Solano, owner of Solano Legends Boxing, where Rivas and other local kids hone their skills, told MyHighPlains.com that kids only spar if they want to, but it's not mandatory. Solano said all of the kids compete in U.S.-sanctioned boxing events and professional events.

Gabriel Cruz, another young boxer we met, said he enjoys putting all the skills he's learned in training to the test in the ring.

“It helps you get your tactics and fundamentals down,” said Cruz, who added that he also enjoys the sparring aspect of it, “where you can put those fundamentals to use.”

In addition to upcoming youth bouts, local professional boxer Rudy Montenegro is scheduled to face Deonte Walker on July 19 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Montenegro also said his love for the sport came naturally.

“I think it just kind of evolved over the years from when I first started,” said Montenegro, who works as a firefighter with the Borger Fire Department. “I just gave it a try, and the more I did it, the more I loved it and, obviously, the passion for it became, and I've been doing it ever since.”

The Montenegro match will be streamed live on bxngtv.com.

All of this has contributed to the growth of the boxing and mixed martial arts scene in the Yellow City.