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Boxer Ricky Tomlinson rides confidence into National PAL

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By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 18, 2009

TAMPA - It doesn't take long before the aroma of confidence wafts from boxing trainer Carlos Rivera.

When he speaks of his young pupil Ricky Tomlinson Jr., he can't help it.

The freshman at newly opened Strawberry Crest High School in Plant City has collected titles in the Silver Gloves in December in Lakeland, his fourth in a row; Florida PAL in February; Regional Silver Gloves in March and the 2009 Ringside Junior International Summer Boxing Classic in Georgia this June.

Making his progression as boxer even sweeter, three weeks ago he beat former teammate and local two-time national champion Steve "Bo" Cross of West Tampa Boxing.

"I love it because the hard work pays off. I love it knowing that he counts on me," said Rivera, who runs Plantation Boxing. "We were talking at the last show and the first thing he told me was, 'Coach, I feel so comfortable with you. You have all the answers I'm looking for.' When a kid counts on you, it's a blessing because it's like, wow. You feel good.

"It works together because I work hard and he works hard and together, it's coming. You can see it all come together. I mean, this kid to go to Georgia and win the world wide tournament, that big."

You can see why Rivera has a strong belief in Tomlinson.

Now Tomlinson is headed to San Antonio, Texas for the 2009 National Police Athletic League Championships, which begins Monday and ends Saturday. The event, which will be held at The San Antonio Municipal Auditorium, will host more than 550 amateur boxers.

"My coach Carlos has been pushing me, getting me to do more things, sparring with pros," said Tomlinson, who lives in Zephyrhills. "He's just been pushing me to do the extra stuff and I've been pushing myself. We've been training real hard and he's gotten more power out of me, more speed. I've just taken it to another level since I've matured more."

In all, Tomlin has collected a total of 16 titles to his name.

In taking things to a different level, Tomlinson has had a level of focus that has pushed him through injuries.

Earlier this year, he broke his hand toward the end of the second round of a three-round fight. He went back to his corner and his father, Ricky Tomlinson Sr. knew something was wrong.

He asked his son if he wanted to stop the fight and the youngster answered with a swift 'No.'

"I don't ever want to be stopped or have my fight end (like that), so I went back out there and won," Tomlinson Jr. said. "Once my hand healed up a month later, we went to Junior Olympic regionals in South Carolina and I won the regionals. I beat this kid from Miami and I had to fight this kid from Georgia and I dropped him with a body shot in the second round."

Rivera has guaranteed Tomlinson will return from the Lone Star State with title No. 17.

"His conditioning is progressing, now we have him in a more pro style with amateur speed," Rivera said. "His confidence level is very, very high. This kid, right now if you look at him, he's unbelievable. He really is."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 259-7066.

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