* By Bob Buttitta
* Ventura County Star
* Posted February 8, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.
Jose Aguiniga’s talent as a boxer didn’t prepare him for the internal struggle he was forced to deal with five years ago.
At the time, Aguiniga was one of the top ranked fighters in the lightweight division, a boxer who at 31-0 seemed destined to get a shot a world title.
But he was also the father of two children, and his wife thought at age 25 Aguiniga had chased his dream long enough and it was time to grow up and get a real job.
“I was torn between trying to make my wife happy and continuing to do something I love,” said Aguiniga, a longtime Oxnard resident who was born in Illinois. “So I started to stay away from the gym, which was hard, but I was trying to make it work (with his wife).”
The lack of regular training forced Aguiniga to pass on several potential bouts.
Little by little he got away from the sport and while he never officially retired, he hasn’t been in the ring since April 2007 when he won a majority decision over Joe Morales in Houston.
On Feb. 25, Aguiniga makes his return to the ring, fighting Juan Ruiz (23-8) as the main event of a boxing card that will take place at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme.
The card was originally scheduled to be held at Santa Paula Community Golf Course, but weather concerns moved the bouts to Port Hueneme.
The event, which is being presented by El Dorado Entertainment, is being called “The Comeback.” It will feature seven bouts and include local fighters David Rodella, Hugo Centeno and Roger Romo.
“I’m excited about fighting again, but I’m more nervous because I’ve been away for five years,” Aguiniga said during a news conference Wednesday at El Dorado Restaurant in Oxnard to promote the event. “I’m training hard and feel good, but you never know until you get into the ring.”
Even after he left boxing the problems at home continued for Aguiniga. He and his wife eventually divorced, but he has a strong relationship with his son Angel, 7, and his daughter, Destiny, 5. Neither of his children were old enough to understand how talented a boxer their father was before he stopped fighting five years ago, This next stage of Aguiniga’s career may give his kids the chance to see their dad’s prowess in the ring.
While he worked as a machinist and helping a friend with electrical jobs, Aguiniga said he constantly thought about getting back into the sport Last February he finally got back into the gym and started working out under the tutelage of his brother Mario, who also helps train Ventura resident Victor Ortiz.
Aguiniga was supposed to have a fight last June but injured his ribs, taking him out of the gym again. Months later he was approached about being part of the card in Ventura County and decided it was the perfect avenue to make his return.
“He’s looking good in the gym and his sparring sessions have been strong, but we will have to see what happens in the ring,” Mario Aguiniga said. “Looking good in sparring session is a while different world from doing it in a fight, but I like what he’s been doing.
“Like everyone, I was surprised when he stopped fighting because he’s always had a lot of talent. At 30, he’s not young but he’s not old either. If he can do well in two or three fights, he could get some other chances because he was 31-0 before (quitting).”
As much he regrets giving up five prime years of his career, Aguiniga said he can’t worry about the past. He feels more mature than he was at 25 and believes that gives him an edge. And his passion for boxing is as strong as its ever been.
However, Aguiniga knows if he’s going to reach his ultimate goal of fighting for a title, it must start with a winning performance on the 25th. When he agreed to the fight, he did so under the condition that the promoters find an opponent who could give him a good gauge on where his skills are now.
“This guy (Ruiz) has fought some quality guys and he is a good fighter,” Aguiniga said. “I did not want an easy fight. At 31-0, I want to see if I still have it or not. I need to fight someone good so I can make a decision on whether to keep going or not. If I win, than I continue. But if I lose or get beat up, then I have to see what I do. I’m excited to be back fighting. I missed it. It was something I have done for a large part of my life and I missed it.”
Jose “Sweet” Aguiniga (from left) and Juan Ruiz pose for pictures during a boxing press conference held at El Dorado restaurant in Oxnard Wednesday afternoon. Aguiniga and Ruiz will be the main show during The Comback boxing match scheduled for Feb. 25. Oxnard, Ca., Feb. 7, 2012
Photo by Troy Harvey, Ventura County Star
David “Dangerous” Rodela (left) and Jose
“Sweet” Auginiga sit at a table during a boxing press conference held at El Dorado Restaurant located in Oxnard Wednesday afternoon. Oxnard, Ca., Feb. 7, 2012
Jose “Sweet” Aguiniga speaks to the media a boxing press conference held at El Dorado restaurant located in Oxnard Wednesday afternoon. Aguiniga is returning to the ring after a 5-year absence. Oxnard, Ca., Feb. 7, 2012