by Sarah Jane Anaya
(For the four previous parts of this series, click here: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four)
I have my feet buried in warm golden sand and a soft ocean breeze is against my skin. The rushing waves and glistening blue ocean water capture the full attention of my eyes and I let the sound of the crashing sea and seabirds over head replace the noise in my head, the stress of the outside world, and everything in between melts away . Real life seems a million miles from here and I am in my happy place. The beach is where my mind goes when I dream of the perfect place and it is where Carlos brings me after a fight . I think most fighters plan trips after lucrative fights, taking advantage of the couple weeks after to take a break from it all. There will be no fight for at least 2 months, that is a guarantee, and when training amps back up we will keep a regular routine until a fight is scheduled and then we will go even harder . Taking a break immediately after the fight is the only guaranteed free time when a trip won’t interfere with camp or a fight .
When Carlos was champion we didn’t take any breaks after fights and he would be back in the gym the next day. Granted, Carlos created a new standard for hard work that is well known in the Chicago boxing community. But it created a constant loop of training and fighting that went on for years and it was hard on me. I need a week to clear my mind, refresh, regroup and get ready to be in it to win it all over again. It could be two months before the next bout or it could be eight. Eight months is a long time to stay in fighting shape but we are not in the position to pass up opportunities and turn down good fights because Carlos isn’t prepared to fight. We can’t afford to be caught off guard or out of shape. Carlos has racked up losses but he hasn’t been stopped and is still performing at a top level in highly competitive fights. This is what keeps team Molina rolling forward .
I made it crystal clear to Carlos when the day comes I feel he can not win fights or is taking beatings I will no longer be able to support his fighting, but that time has not yet come . I am not ignorant to the fact Carlos is in fact a fighter over 30 and the clock is ticking loud. I have this continuous nagging feeling that time is running out. The thought makes my heart race. It’s not the retiring I worry about, that day will come and we will have a whole second chapter to enjoy. It is retiring before we accomplish what we set out to do. I don’t want to face a life of unfulfilled dreams and what ifs in Carlos’ post boxing career . We are determined to leave knowing we did what we set out to do and have no regrets or desire to go back when it’s all done.
When Carlos was champion we had a big team of people who made everything run smoothly. a promoter, manager, two lawyers, strength trainer, boxing trainer , cut man, publicist, security, accountant, and my job was much easier. When the title went so did the team and I took on more responsibilities as needed . As we began with a team of three, and we will continue as a team of three.
Team Molina has a brand new venture we will be tackling, and an adventure it will be for sure. Something we have considered for a long time but wanted to wait until the timing was right. We will add boxing promoter to our resume as we unveil King Carlos Promotions in the heart of Mexico, where boxing belongs and still holds a special place in the hearts of people who grew up watching the shining stars of the greatest Mexican fighters who ever lived. We love boxing and want to aid in the restoration of Mexican boxing and build a foundation where the future of boxing can stand . It will all begin in September on Mexican independence day weekend in Michoacán MX . As I hammered out the details for promoting our own show I realized I have been preparing for this for a decade and all the pieces began falling into place. I refuse to allow our company to become another leech on the sport feeding off the blood of the fighters. I refuse to operate my company at the expense of boxing or boxers and if I can not achieve a show worthy of the noble sport I wont do it at all. This is my promise .
Leave a Reply