Damian Ochoa has been boxing for about a year, but he has been with Fairfield’s JL Tepito Boxing Club for about three months of that time.

“I decided to join boxing because I wanted to be able to have a hobby and lose weight at the same time,” said Ochoa.

For him, some of the pros of boxing are that he is learning self-defense while working out, but it is a very tiring sport that takes up a lot of energy and has a high risk of injury. He said that it is easy to have something painful happen, like getting punched in the face while sparring.

Boxing isn’t the only way that Ochoa gets his regular work-out. He likes to hit the gym and go on runs for exercise. He also likes to work on cars in his free time.

Ochoa said that professional boxer Mike Tyson was one of the people who inspired him to pursue this sport. Watching him “inspired me so much,” he said. “Just watching his fights and seeing him knock out people in just 11 seconds, and seeing how intimidating and confident he is.” This has made such an impact on Ochoa that he has considered becoming a professional boxer, but he is aware that such training would take a lot of time and, since he is still young, he would like to finish school first.

“I recommend others to join just because it is a great way to relieve stress and get in shape,” said Ochoa. It’s great “if you are looking to do that and overall it’s fun. You learn a lot from it.”