Professional Boxer Juan (Nito) Suazo

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 17:57

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Juan (Nito) Suazo fights for his passion of boxing and his family. Boxing has long been a dream of Nito's, but is now a means of taking care of his son and girlfriend with a child on the way.

He helps his immediate family by managing Taqueria Juanitos, Mexican food restaurant on Grant Road in Tucson, Ariz. The family moved from Mexico to California before Suazo was born, and began making a living through the restaurant business.

At the same time Nito helps with the family restaurant. The business is the main sponsor for his fights. Finding sponsorship is a greater challenge than when he first started competing because Nito is considered an older fighter.

Suazo has been boxing since he was a child. He grew up to appreciate the sport as he watched the men in his family gather around the television in their Los Angeles home to watch the boxing bouts. He wanted the same respect he believed the boxers received. However, when Suazo transitioned from amateur boxing to professional fighting, he was stunned to find some in the business treated him as a piece of meat. He didn't know what he was getting into, he explained, and he temporarily retired from the sport.

Nito rejoined the sport with a greater load of responsibilities to manage, an older body, and a new trainer. After the passing of his former trainer, Nito put his career in the hands of Coach Ray Mitchell with Tucson Wolfpack Boxing Team. Nito said trust was established and he learned to respect Mitchell’s coaching style and technical knowledge. "He gave me a chance and I gave him a chance," Nito said.

In addition to fighting for the passion and hopes of financial stability, Nito hopes to show his family and friends "that hard work pays off, and dreams do come true."

His next fight is Friday, Feb. 17 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz. His bout is the main event.

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Written by Audrey Fitzsimmons You are reading Professional Boxer Juan (Nito) Suazo articles

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