Manuel Jaimes prepares to make his mark – for Stockton, his team and himself

Lightweight Manuel Jaimes is set to take a major step in his career as he moves up to junior welterweight for a high-stakes showdown against former titleholder Rolando Romero. 

The fight, which will open the pay-per-view card headlined by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 7, offers Jaimes, a 24-year-old from Stockton, California, his first chance at national recognition.

For Jaimes (16-1-1, 11 KOs), the opportunity is more than just a chance to fight on a grand stage – it’s the culmination of a lifelong pursuit he and his coach, Steve Salas, have embarked on since his amateur days.

“This is the opportunity I was waiting for,” Jaimes said. “To be opening up the pay-per-view card for Canelo is big, really exciting for me.”

The roots of Jaimes’ success can be traced back to the small gym near Stockton’s McKinley Park, where a picture frame on the wall tells the story of humble beginnings. Inside Stockton PYA, a photo of Jaimes, 24, hangs proudly beside that of Esteban “Sweet Steve” Cervantes, the only other fighter from the gym to achieve significant success as a professional.

Salas, who has been training Jaimes since he was as young as 13 years old, has watched him evolve from a curious kid fascinated by “Sweet Steve” to a young man sparring top pros in Southern California. On a recent day, Jaimes was sparring with Ebert Diaz, a newly turned professional from Richmond, California, as he prepared to head to Riverside for his biggest fight yet.

“This is the first step into international stardom,” Salas said. “He’s been mostly on the local scene, but now this is his chance to bring that spotlight internationally.”

Jaimes is fully aware of the significance of the moment. “I want everybody to remember me at the end of the day and be like, ‘Who’s this kid?’” Jaimes said. “I want them to look me up, find out who I am and see what I’m about.”

The bond between Jaimes and Salas extends beyond the ring. Salas, whom Jaimes considers a godfather, has been by his side throughout his entire fighting life.

“It means the world,” Jaimes said. “We’re always talking about the fights that are coming up, and to get this type of opportunity with him, it means everything.”

As Jaimes prepares for a potentially career-defining moment, the lessons learned at Stockton PYA serve as a constant reminder of what’s at stake. Salas, who hasn’t always been a coach but has been connected to the gym since 1991, knows the importance of seizing the moment. Cervantes once had a similar opportunity against Vinny Pazienza – a fight his team felt he won – but a split decision loss altered the trajectory of his career. Now, Jaimes hopes to secure a major win, not just for himself but for his gym and his team.

And, of course, to add another photo to the Stockton PYA wall.

“Steve set the bar for what can be achieved from this gym,” Salas said. “Now it’s Manuel’s time to right the past wrongs and make his own mark.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.