BY ELEANOR MARBELLA
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Senior Micah Saludares has been boxing and competing in Muay Thai during his time at Roseville High School. However, as his graduation from RHS draws closer, his boxing competitions are coming to an end.
“My dad wanted me to do it just for exercise, but then I started to get into the fight team. From then on, I’ve been competing since about 10-years-old,” Saludares said. “I like the adrenaline I get from it. People can talk about how they fight all the time, but can they really get in a ring and pull it off? I like the rush I get from it and to train really hard and spar almost everyday and win, it’s a satisfying feeling.”
Saludares trains persistently for boxing in order to show improvement.
“I train almost every day. I do two sports, Muay Thai and boxing,” Saludares said. “I compete in Muay Thai to train my knees and elbows and boxing is to supplement my hands. Even when I’m not training for a match I still train like I am as to better myself for the next one.”
The training Saludares does to prepare for his matches takes up four to six days every week. Saludares’ friends are proud of how he has been able to manage his free time and boxing.
Friend of Saludares senior Natalie Tran believes his efforts shouldn’t go unnoticed considering the schedule he juggles.
“I think it’s really great how Micah can balance school, R.O.P. and boxing,” Tran said. “He usually trains a lot, but it’s great how he always manages his time to be able to hang out with his friends considering his busy schedule.”
Though boxing takes up most of Saludares’ time, he attempts to involve his friends in his training as a way to spend time with them.
“I’ve ran a couple of times with a friend before, but that’s it,” Saludares said. “Whenever I invite my friends to train with me they say they’re interested but they never do it.”
Another friend of Saludares, Joe Mailey, notes his dedication to keeping in touch with his friends despite his schedule for boxing.
“He’s always texting me at 5:30 in the morning asking if I want to run because he’s constantly running and running to make sure he’s prepared,” Mailey said.
As Saludares’ devotion to boxing is strong, the attitude from boxing is what keeps him driven.
“I don’t draw any inspiration from anyone, but if I had to pick I’d go with Manny Pacquiao. I really like his attitude about boxing. He’s very humble before and after the fight,” Saludares said. “If it’s one thing I hate, it’s rude people. I like to keep in mind that if you are blessed enough to win fights, then I wouldn’t let it get to your head. Even if you do win, there is always someone better than you.”
Saludares chooses to see his matches as just regular fights for him.
“I take them as they are. My coaches and parents will always hype them up but to me the next fight is just another event I’m training for,” Saludares said. “I have other things to worry about.”
Saludares feels a sense of accomplishment after every fight.
“My last fight was against someone around the same weight and I was just an inch taller. He was also a little buffer than I was,” Saludares said. “Turns out he was twenty-four and in college which kind of intimidated me, but I fought hard and won.”
Saludares will be ending his boxing and Muay Thai career to focus on his future and college. However, he reflects on the experiences and lessons he’s learned.
“I only have a couple of fights left and I think that’s it for me. I have to get focused on college. I might just do boxing for just plain fitness and not compete, but we will see how my schedule works out after high school,” Saludares said. “It’s just an extracurricular for me, definitely not a career path.”
Saludares has received support from his friends as his final year of competitive boxing is coming to a close.
“From what I know, he doesn’t want to go pro, but he does want to have it as an artistic ability because he really enjoys it,” Mailey said.
Mailey believes that Saludares’ personality is what makes him even better.
“He’s a great kid and he’s one of those friends you don’t want to lose,” Mailey said. “He’s well-rounded and loyal and he’s one of those friends that you hope will stick with you for a long time.”
Saludares’ next match this Saturday in Elk Grove.
“It’s a professional/amateur fight,” Saludares said. “I think the reward is going to be a trophy or medal.”
While a fight may be considered significant, Saludares maintains a calm attitude about even a big fight.
“To me, it’s just another fight coming up. It’s not really a big deal,” Saludares said.
However, Saludares’ more consistent matches over the years have affected his training.
“I’ve been training more which involves sparring everyday,” Saludares said. “I train everyday from six to eight, but sometimes I may stay later or come earlier [to the gym].”
Saludares’ coaches have also been helping him prepare for the fight and his everyday training by padding him out and making him spar everyday.
Saludares’ father motivates him to perform well and keep improving.
“My dad is like a coach sometimes, he pushes me really hard. I don’t necessarily like it all the time, because at the end of the day he’s just my dad,” Saludares said. “But just like any other parent, he doesn’t want me to get hurt.”
Tran admires the passion Saludares shows through training and fighting, as well as the pride he has in his sport.
“You can tell he’s really passionate about boxing because he always posts on social media and he really takes pride of what he does,” Tran said. “Boxing is such an intriguing sport and I’m really proud of him and what he’s accomplished.”
