Alex Suarez trains fighters at The Lincoln Boxing Club, but his greatest challenge may be taking over for his late father in his brother Mark's corner.
After Alex Suarez approached me at the Lincoln Boxing Club in Riverside, CA, we talked about his training philosophy. We talked about his fighters. And we talked about his brother, Mark Suarez. Yes, that Mark Suarez.
Mark is a former top ten ranked welterweight whose last fight was a sixth round TKO loss to Kermit Cintron in 2006, for the vacant IBF welterweight title. Alex insists that the death of their trainer/father, Andy, prevented Mark from victory in that fight. "He came out in the third round looking around for dad, and I knew the fight was over," admitted Alex. "But he has what it takes to be a champion."
But not at 147. "I'll train him when he gets out (Mark is currently serving a jail sentence for breaking and entering a vehicle), but at 160. He's tall enough (5'11) and can carry the weight, no problem. I just need to get him to use his jab."
It's obvious when talking to Alex, that he places as much confidence in his training abilities as he does in his brother.
"I learned so much from my Dad," he said. "He was a great trainer and he taught me everything he knew. Most of all he taught me how to study fighters, how to pick apart (fight) film.
His enthusiasm is infectious and it's fun to watch as he trains an 18-year-old welterweight named Travis and a seven-year-old named Felix Soria. The little guy attacked a heavy bag like it was a grade school bully who stole his lunch money.
"I think he's a natural," said Alex. Trainers can be naturals too, I thought.
Riverside area residents interested in Alex's services may contact him at bigal_64@sbcglobal.net
