Junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado represented Mexico in the 2016 Olympics. Though he was eliminated in the first round, the experience and process of fighting at the highest level of amateur boxing still resonates with him.
Delgado will face Bryan Flores on Aug. 10 at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the co-main event of the ESPN telecast.
Delgado (20-0, 15 KOs), 29, who carries his Olympic experience everywhere he goes having had the rings tattooed near his bicep, spoke about the experience that prepared him for what he is hoping will be a title run in the pros. Delgado now trains with Robert Garcia in Riverside, Calif.
“It was a great experience,” Delgado said, looking back to the Rio Games. “I gained a lot of experience during that tournament, and I think it helped me a lot on the change to becoming a professional and now I feel good to have been in the Olympics.”
Delgado lost in the first round to Italy’s Carmine Tommasone, known as “Mr. Wolf.”
He explained how his extensive amateur experience has aided his development as a professional.
“I saw a lot of different boxers, and when I was preparing for the Olympic Games I traveled the world with the national team, and I fought a lot of different styles,” Delgado said. “It’s very difficult and challenging, and I liked it.”
For this year’s Olympic Games, Delgado highlighted Marco Verde, who competes in the 2024 Paris Olympics for Mexico, as a potential medalist.
“I think he’s going to win a medal, and some other guys in the national team might medal, but I know for sure that Marco is going to win a medal,” Delgado added.
When asked for advice for young Olympians or fighters in general, Delgado paused before answering sincerely.
“I would say, don’t get discouraged,” Delgado said. “Sometimes people get discouraged because they didn’t qualify for a particular fight, but sooner or later, you’re going to get that opportunity. So don’t get discouraged.”
Currently ranked No. 10 by the WBC and No. 15 by the IBF, Delgado is waiting for his chance to challenge for a belt. Patience is key and one of the lessons he has learned so far, and he should be nearing a big opportunity.
Read the full article here
