When Julian Delgado started boxing right after graduating from King High School in 2020, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to fight professionally.
The 22-year-old from Corpus Christi made it his goal the moment he won his first match and hasn't looked back since.
“I want to be a pro one day,” Delgado told the Caller-Times at the time. “Right now I'm training intensively for the Olympics, but after that I'll be worrying about turning professional.”
Fast forward to 2024, and Delgado has risen through the boxing ranks and is scheduled to make his professional debut in front of his home crowd during Saturday's Top Rank event at American Bank Center.
Delgado is 33-4 with a National Golden Gloves title on his resume and will be the first Corpus Christi fighter since John Rincon to compete in a top-ranked event.
“I'm really excited,” Delgado said. “I am at peace and I am sure there was nothing more I could have done to prepare for this fight. I'm blank. I'm at peace, but I'm nervous, but I'm also very excited. ”
more:What you need to know ahead of Saturday's Top Rank Boxing event at American Bank Center
Delgado has been on a rigorous training routine in preparation for this weekend. Delgado continues to spend six days a week doing strength training, running, combat fundamentals and boxing.
In fact, Delgado was able to train with Rincon, and they have remained in touch since Delgado joined the boxing world at a young age.
“I'm feeling good and I'm already in cruise control,” Delgado said. “I do these workouts to keep my body active. Me and John respect each other and we help each other get better for our opponents. I'm John We respect them and we're happy to be able to show them to the community.”
Delgado's opponent on Saturday will be Laredo southpaw Juan Tamez.
Delgado said Tamez was not originally his opponent, but that changed after his two previous fighters withdrew from the match.
“This is his second professional fight and he's 1-0,” Delgado said of Tamez. “He's had the advantage so far and this is a first for me. I don't take anyone lightly, anyway. I'm fighting this opponent, and I'm fighting as if it's a world title fight. .I'm ready' to risk my heart and soul. ”
more:'This is what I want to do': Corpus Christi boxer Julian Delgado eyes Olympics
Delgado said he received a call from Top Rank four weeks ago and did his best to remain calm. Although he was excited about the opportunity, he couldn't help but remember his own hard work and dedication that had gotten him to this point in his life.
Delgado recorded 30 wins in his first 18 months of fighting, won two Corpus Christi Golden Gloves championships, and became the first Corpus Christi fighter in 40 years to win a U.S. boxing national title.
“It means everything,” Delgado said. “I still try to convince myself that this is happening because it feels too good to be true. It feels like a dream, like a movie. I'll look back on it 10 years from now. When I look back, I couldn't be more grateful. This is what I think.'' I've been dreaming, but it's not a dream anymore. ”
