Main St Gym Boxer Goes For National Title

At 15 years of age Abdiel Rivera, a Wi Hi sophomore and honor student is virtually unknown, much in the same way that Fernando Guerrero's name was unknown at the same age, but there are other similarities beyond that.

Rivera, like Guerrero is bi-lingual, of Spanish descent(Puerto Rican), and started boxing at Salisbury's Main St Gym at a young age, even earlier than rising star and role model, Guerrero.

Another similarity is the noticeable transformation in maturity as they started to excel in the sport. " Fernando had much to learn before he could expect to make a serious bid for the top back in those days", Said Coach Hal Chernoff, "But for the most part, he was open to learn, Abdiel was different, he didn't know how to deal with situations and certain emotions. If he got frustrated or angry about something, he would go into a shell or do things that that were basically unacceptable in the gym, or in the ring. Even Fernando would get upset with him and loose faith that he could change. It's taken a long time and lots and lots of long talks, but this young man has come far and I am as proud of his maturity outside the ring as I am of his improvements inside the ring. The icing on the cake is that the mental improvements have been the key to his physical ones."

This weekend Abdiel traveled to Pittsburgh, Pa. to compete in the USA Boxing's Regional Junior Olympics, where he fought the best young fighters in the six state region, to reach the Championship Round. It was the second time he has travel to compete in a regional Jr tournament, coming up short in his 2008 bid in Augusta Ga.

"I sent Abdiel up on Thursday evening with Fernando to work his corner and stayed back a day to attend the wedding of a friends son. But my wife and I woke up early Saturday to travel the six hours to Pittsburgh. Six hours up and back in one day for six minutes and it was worth every mile, when a great kid steps up like Abdiel did".said Chernoff, "you have to let them know how important this is to you as a coach, if you expect them to see the importance of it them self".

In an ironic twist Rivera would go up against Parris Chisholm of Washington D.C. He is trained by Barry Hunter out of Headbangers Gym. If that name sounds familiar it should. Hunter co-trains Fernando and is a intricate part of Team Guerrero. He has also produced some of the best amateurs in the country, year after year. Chisholm is no different, he is a standout amateur with national titles to his name and is expected to achieve much in the sport. " We knew we would have our hands full, he's fast, strong, experienced and well coached, a lethal combination to overcome but that's what made the win all that much better." Said Chernoff

"Abdiel has really buckled down in the gym and dedicated himself to improving and getting in tip top condition. I think his conditioning was the key to his confidence. He went out and listened to his corner, he pressed the pace and performed like a champion". Said Chernoff. And so, when it was time to raise the hand of the winner, Rivera realized what it felt like to be crowned a champion as well, much in the same fashion as his predecessor and second man in the corner, Fernando.

Rivera will now travel to the JR Olympic Nationals to be held this year at Camp Lejeune, N.C. " I hope that Abdiel can keep it rolling and when he fights in Salisbury at our armature shows, people will be able to come out and watch the progress of how it all happens at this level, sort of give everyone a birds eye view of what you go through to get where Fernando is."

Winning at the the national level is a huge thing and very hart to do. It would also give Guerrero and Rivera one more thing in common.