Alejandro “Popo” Salinas is someone that Jack Loew has been hyping for two years.  Salinas lived up to the hype a little when he captured the prestigious PAL Championship.  The tournament win has a nice reward in the sense that when 2012 rolls around, Popo is automatically the top-rated amateur for the Open Division in the country at his weight class.  He wants to compete for the United States in the Olympics, and the 16-year old has some big footsteps to follow in Kelly Pavlik and Dannie Williams, both PAL Champions, both Loew students of the game.

“The last time I had a fighter win this tournament”, reflected Loew, “he went on to become the middleweight champion of the world.  That ought to tell you how prestigious the tournament is.”

To win the tournament, young Salinas defeated fighters from Florida, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania.  Salinas will now headline the November 23rd Bob Roth Boxing Show at St. Lucy’s in Campbell.  Loew will promote the amateur card which is named after the great Bob Roth who Loew says ‘loved boxing like nobody I have ever met’.

Salinas is still a little timid around a camera or a microphone because the exposure to the public is relatively new.  However, in the ring, he looks like a polished veteran.  Loew even called him ‘a thirty year-old man’ because of the snap on his punches and the ring presence he exhibits at such a young age.

“It is to my advantage to spar against older fighters”, said Salinas.  “You learn a lot while you are in there with a fighter who is experienced.  Winning the tournament was great because all of the fighters I faced were really well-trained and ready.  Now, I have to get more serious with my training and win a few fights to get to the Olympics.”

“I want to graduate from school”, commented Salinas.  “I don’t want to be one of those guys in the background who never graduated.  I will not go to college until after I try my hand at the pro level.”

Salinas also talked about things he does when he has time.  Much to my surprise, video games and television did not crack the top 10.  He said he would much rather play baseball or do something outside.  As I expanded on his baseball knowledge, he won me over some more by telling me that his favorite player of all-times is Roberto Clemente.

“I do some crazy workouts with my spare time.  I respect a lot of students and most of them do not even know I am a boxer, I like to stay quiet.  I never start trouble with anyone because they might go out of their way to make my life harder if they learn I am a boxer.  I want to stay straight, compete in the Olympics, go pro, and then let God do what he has to do.”

Wait until you see this kid.  He is special, and that isn’t hype, that’s fact.

Tickets and details for the Bob Roth Show can be obtained by contacting Jack Loew at 330-501-5713. There are a couple of reserved tables left and St. Lucy’s is a nice venue with no bad seating.  Being the night before Thanksgiving, Loew will expect a good crowd with nobody allowed to use the, ‘I have to work tomorrow’ excuse.  It’s annually a great show, Salinas is the icing on the cake this year.