From Albuquerque To Ambition: A Young Boxer's Road To Pro And Olympic Dreams

What does it take to chase the Olympics when you started late and the odds say slow down? We bring you a candid, high-energy conversation with a 20-year-old Albuquerque fighter named Santiago Saavedra in his first official year of boxing, sitting at 2–2 and aiming boldly at the open division, national tournaments, and the Olympic trials. Guided by faith, family, and a father who doubles as coach, he lays out the habits that turn raw hunger into a plan: six training days a week, a goal book split between short-term wins and long-shot dreams, and a mantra he repeats when doubt creeps in.

We dig into the technical side that separates a brawler from a boxer’s boxer. He explains why footwork is his signature, how to frustrate pressure with the jab and angles, and when to switch sparring from touch work to fight pace. You’ll hear about three hard rounds at Top Rank in Las Vegas, what he learned when an opponent simply wanted to trade, and how amateurs win bouts by pairing movement with clean scoring. He’s honest about setbacks, transparent about his 2–2 start, and clear about the mission: stack experience, learn fast, and compete at 132 when it matters most.

Weight cuts, mindset, and community pride round out the story. He shares why he prefers old-school dieting over sauna suits, what foods he dreams about during camp, and how family support grew as his results did. There’s hometown fire here, too—keeping Albuquerque on the map, showing love to underrated New Mexico talent, and drawing inspiration from names like Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero. If you’re building something from the ground up—late start or not—you’ll walk away with practical training insights, a sharper view of the Olympic path, and a reminder that self-belief is a skill you can train.

If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a push, and drop a review to help more fight fans find us.

The Boxing Grind 

Transcript

Meet The New Prospect

SPEAKER_00 0:00

How are you today?

SPEAKER_01 0:01

I'm good. How are you?

SPEAKER_00 0:02

I'm doing well. Thank you. Thank you for coming on the show. Before I get started with any of the questions, I was hoping that maybe you would just introduce yourself, give the audience a little bit of information about, you know, who you are, where you're from, some some information about boxing.

SPEAKER_01 0:18

Right. Okay,

Late Start And Finding Purpose

SPEAKER_01 0:19

yeah. So I'm from Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is my first official year of boxing. So this is my year one. And um, I'm just looking to get to start them. I'm looking to rise up to the ranks of the pros and rise up as an amateur, possibly even compete in the Olympics as well, coming up in 2028. And yeah, I'm just looking to get started, get the ball rolling.

SPEAKER_00 0:41

Okay, great. So you said that this is year one of boxing.

SPEAKER_01 0:45

This is year one.

SPEAKER_00 0:46

How old are you?

SPEAKER_01 0:47

20.

SPEAKER_00 0:48

20. So would you say that you got started a little bit later on?

SPEAKER_01 0:51

Yeah, I definitely. I definitely got started later on. You know, my dad's been a boxing coach my whole life, so I've always put the gloves on and hit mitts, but it was never a passion of mine until later in life. And I mean, yeah, boxing gave me a purpose, and that's what I'm pursuing now.

SPEAKER_00 1:07

So, what was the turning point that you know you said, hey, I I really want to pursue this further?

Early Record And Next Fight

SPEAKER_01 1:15

Honestly, it was after I finished my GED, I was very lost in life, and I was looking for a purpose, and I actually gave my life to the Lord, and I started having dreams and visions, and I decided to pursue with that, and yeah, and one thing turned to another, and it's been uh quite the journey ever since.

SPEAKER_00 1:34

And so this is your year one, and you've had how many fights have you had so far?

SPEAKER_01 1:38

I've had four fights so far.

SPEAKER_00 1:40

Okay, and what is your record?

SPEAKER_01 1:41

My record is two and two, two wins and two losses.

SPEAKER_00 1:44

Okay, and now do you have a fight coming up?

SPEAKER_01 1:47

I have a possible fight coming up in January 31st in Clovis, New Mexico.

SPEAKER_00 1:52

Okay. And do you so uh do you know if there's an opponent for you yet?

SPEAKER_01 1:56

I'm not too sure right now, but we're definitely looking to we're looking to head that direction for sure.

SPEAKER_00 2:01

Okay.

Self-Belief And Daily Discipline

SPEAKER_00 2:02

And now so you've had four fights, and I know that we're, you know, we're we're on this journey and we're doing this road to pro, and I'm definitely going to to you know, follow the entire journey. Do you do you have any advice for people that are just getting started with boxing?

SPEAKER_01 2:20

Oh yeah, definitely. I would say the number one thing is self-belief. You must believe in yourself, and you gotta really believe what you tell yourself, you know. I mean, when I first started last year, I love music and I would drive to the gym with no music and I repeatedly tell myself I can and I will and I must. And I think it's all about self-belief.

SPEAKER_00 2:42

And what about on the days that maybe you feel like not believing? Is there any time that you're feeling like that?

SPEAKER_01 2:48

Yeah, 100%. At the end of the day, I'm human and there's some days where I might doubt myself or you're tired and you know you feel stuck to the bed. But I think the number one thing is you got to realize you have a day of health and opportunity, and you have to chase that. You have to use every day as an opportunity.

Father As Coach And Chemistry

SPEAKER_00 3:04

How many days a week are you training right now?

SPEAKER_01 3:06

I train six days a week.

SPEAKER_00 3:08

Okay, and what does that training schedule look like? And you said that your father is your coach. Yes. And uh what who is your father?

SPEAKER_01 3:14

Francisco. Francisco Saevedas.

SPEAKER_00 3:16

Okay, okay. We call him Coach Paco. We coach Paco, yeah. Do you call him Coach Paco?

SPEAKER_01 3:19

I call him Master Phi. Master P, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:22

Okay, and what is that? So, what is that like having your father as a coach?

SPEAKER_01 3:26

It's great, it's amazing. Okay. The chemistry, there's nothing like it, you know what I mean? And there's a lot of great boxing duos or father and son duos. You know, you have Lomanchenko, you know what I mean? You have Teo Fima Lopez, you have a lot of great fighters that their fathers were their coach and they brought them with them.

SPEAKER_00 3:43

That's right. Is there is there any time that there's ever conflict though? Maybe he's telling you to do something, like hell no.

SPEAKER_01 3:50

100%, 100%. But you gotta find that balance of okay, when we're in the ring and we're putting that work in, okay, he's coach, and then when that time is over, it's back to dad. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 4:03

Yeah, and I mean, I I'm guessing too that it's probably a very honest approach too, because you know, a lot of coaches, if they're not, there's not really something in it for them, or like there's not really a good relationship there, which I hear a lot about with coaches that are out there that you know they're just looking out for their own name. And obviously, and I know your and I know your father, and he he's really he's really a great man. So, and I know that he he genuinely loves what he does. Right. And I and I think that you know that that's where the winning combination comes in, you know, when you have

Olympic Path And Requirements

SPEAKER_00 4:37

a father and son. And I know out here in New Mexico, there are a lot of father and son combinations as well.

SPEAKER_01 4:42

100%. Yeah. It's just all about um, you know, the chemistry that you guys have together, the communication, the honesty. And one thing I can say and I could give my father praise about is he allows me to work with other coaches. You know, I work a lot of days throughout the week with Yoruba Maru, senior. Yeah, so my father allows me to get a lot of work in, a lot of views with other coaches as well.

SPEAKER_00 5:05

He's not a like a gatekeeper. Okay, yeah, that's that's perfect. Now, so you have potentially this fight coming up, but you also mentioned something about going to the Olympics. Now, what does that look like for you?

SPEAKER_01 5:18

I mean, it's all about just putting in the work and dedication. It's not easy, you know what I mean? Especially with my late start to this. It definitely is not easy, but I believe with the hard work that I put in and the dedication and all the self-belief, and I believe in due time it could come. 100%.

SPEAKER_00 5:34

Amen. Amen.

Sparring Philosophy And Top Rank Rounds

SPEAKER_00 5:35

Now, what are the requirements for you to qualify for that?

SPEAKER_01 5:39

Definitely you got to reach the tournament of the Olympic trials.

SPEAKER_00 5:43

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 5:43

You have to win the Olympic trials, and then you move forward with that. And even to get to that point of making it to the Olympic trials is a pretty long process. It's a pretty hard process, but you know, it's definitely achievable for sure.

SPEAKER_00 5:57

Is there a certain amount of fights that you need to have before getting to the trials?

SPEAKER_01 6:00

Oh, yeah, I know you definitely have to be in the open division. So 10 fights plus for sure, I know that. But other than that, no.

SPEAKER_00 6:07

So 2026, you're gonna rack up six more fights?

SPEAKER_01 6:10

Yeah, 100%. 100%. I'm hoping to fight multiple times a month this year. Okay. Yeah, 100%.

SPEAKER_00 6:17

What what about as far as sparring? What is your take on

Beating Brawlers With Footwork

SPEAKER_00 6:22

sparring? And do you feel that uh like sparring sessions should be really challenging, as as close to fighting as possible, or what's your take on that?

SPEAKER_01 6:31

I think it depends. I think you should definitely have days where you just work, you know, in-house, like for instance with Quentin DeLeon. I work with him and we just work, and sometimes we'll go, you know, touches 50%, 30%. And then I believe other days, you know, you should definitely pick it up and yeah, just keep that fight pace. So I think it just depends. You know, definitely when a fight's coming up, you definitely want to intensify sparring more for sure.

SPEAKER_00 6:56

I did I did hear a little bit of information about you that you had some really amazing sparring over at Top Rank in Las Vegas. Can you tell me about that?

SPEAKER_01 7:05

Yes, uh, so I sparred with Fabian Montalvo. Yeah, and uh who's the brother of Julian. And um, yeah, it was great work. I got three solid rounds in with him, and you know, at first he was kind of working with me and just filling me out for sure. I could tell that, you know, he was holding back. But as the rounds went on, we definitely started to pick it up and we both reached a good pace,

Athletic Roots And Work Ethic

SPEAKER_01 7:27

and we were definitely trading get some good shots in there for sure.

SPEAKER_00 7:30

Yeah, I mean, I've seen you fight. I know you're a very technical fighter, and you know, what are what are your thoughts about, you know, when somebody goes in there and they're just ready to brawl, what how do you adjust to that? Is it even possible to adjust to that?

SPEAKER_01 7:46

Yeah, 100%. I believe you can adjust to any fighter. I believe when you're facing a brawler, the best thing you can do is to box them. You use your footwork, you move, and you frustrate them. And once you frustrate them, they're always out of their game. Use that jab, you move, you create distance, and you just in and out, move in and out.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

And how how like as far as footwork or head movement, what do you think is the most important aspect or or tool to use in the ring? Or is it a combination of one or two things?

SPEAKER_01 8:15

Yeah, I think there's definitely a combination of things. You definitely have to find a balance with everything. You have to, you don't want to just, especially for amateurs, you don't want to just get in there and move. You know, it's all about points, it's all about scoring

Weight Classes, Cuts, And Food

SPEAKER_01 8:27

in amateurs. So you want to be able to balance out your movement, but also getting in there and throwing your own.

SPEAKER_00 8:32

So when somebody does go in there and they just want to bang out, do you really it's really not helping them in the long run, right? So that's what I was thinking about that. And what do you think your strong points are in the ring?

SPEAKER_01 8:46

Definitely my footwork. I could definitely say my footwork. I've this is my first official year of boxing, even though, like I said, I've I trained in short spurts as a kid, you know, trained for a couple months here and there. But I've been an athlete my whole life, so I've always done footwork, whether that was basketball or football or baseball, you know, wrestling, all these things of that sort. I can say my footwork followed along for sure.

SPEAKER_00 9:11

And you did wrestle in high school, too.

SPEAKER_01 9:12

Yes, I wrestled my freshman year of high school. I was on the varsity squad at Valley High School, and it was a short, short career, but I I loved it. You loved it. I loved it.

SPEAKER_00 9:23

Do you feel that in any way that that has transferred over to your boxing in any way? Or is it just athleticism

“Stunna” Origin And Family Support

SPEAKER_00 9:30

in general that you've carried with you?

SPEAKER_01 9:32

I say I always carried athleticism, whether it was wrestling or baseball, because you know, baseball was my main sport for quite some time. But I mean, the one thing that always helped me separate myself from other people was my hard work. And I get that from my father, is my ability to work when nobody else is working and when nobody else is work, you know, looking. You know, I'm always the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. So I think that puts me. That's the way to do it. Yes, man.

SPEAKER_00 9:58

And plus, I'm sure that your father would say, Hey, you know, he's not gonna let you, he's not gonna let you slip, so you better get in there.

SPEAKER_01 10:04

He always pushed me for sure. He always pushed me, but I mean you're born with exactly, yeah, exactly. Yeah, it's it's genetics. You know, my my father's uncle, my great uncle, he was a fighter, he was a professional fighter, you know, so it's definitely in our genetics to you know not only throw punches but take them as well.

SPEAKER_00 10:22

And what was his name?

SPEAKER_01 10:24

His name was Esteban, okay. Esteban

Underrated Fighters And New Mexico Pride

SPEAKER_01 10:26

Severra.

SPEAKER_00 10:27

Okay, I have to look up the record. Yes, we should be. Okay, so now moving forward, I know that this is going to be a big year for you. How are you mentally preparing for that? Are you just taking each process as it comes along, or do you have a long-term plan? Where do you see yourself by December of 2026?

SPEAKER_01 10:47

Uh, I have a long-term plan, 100%. I like to keep a book of goals. I have short-term goals and I have long-term goals. And I have ones that are, you know, some people might say far-fetched, and ones that I know I could easily achieve. You know, so I could definitely see myself, you know, competing in national tournaments by the end of this year for

Wisdom, Odds, And Fight-Day Mantra

SPEAKER_01 11:07

sure, 100%.

SPEAKER_00 11:08

Absolutely. Especially with the mindset that you have. It's definitely going to happen.

SPEAKER_01 11:12

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 11:12

And now, if there were somebody. Oh, actually, what weight class are you in right now?

SPEAKER_01 11:18

So I fight at 132.

SPEAKER_00 11:20

132.

SPEAKER_01 11:21

132.

SPEAKER_00 11:21

And you're gonna stay at that.

SPEAKER_01 11:23

Yes, I am gonna stay, especially when it comes to national tournaments, but for fights I have fluctuated. I fought all the way at 140 for my second fight. Okay. This next fight I have coming up, it possibly might be at 140 as well. My last fight was at 130. So I like to fluctuate and fill it out, see where I like to be, where I'm comfortable.

SPEAKER_00 11:42

And did you feel comfortable at 140?

SPEAKER_01 11:44

It's definitely an adaptation.

SPEAKER_00 11:47

Okay. And is it just is it does it take away some of your speed, or do you feel like you have more power?

SPEAKER_01 11:52

I feel like I definitely have more

Blessings, Gratitude, And Sign-Off

SPEAKER_01 11:54

speed when it comes to facing bigger guys because a lot of times when I fight at 140, they usually have more size to them.

SPEAKER_00 12:00

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 12:00

You know, but I definitely feel like my speed helps me to move around because a lot of those guys like to brawl it out for sure. But yeah, I mean, I love competing at 130 as well, too. It's just that weight cut is the weight cut can be a little difficult.

SPEAKER_00 12:15

I've heard what does that weight cut consist of for you? Is it just is it dietary? Is it are you in the sauna suit?

SPEAKER_01 12:22

No, no sauna suits, really. I I do it, I do it kind of old school. Like I know a lot of people stick to the sauna suit and they would say that's old school, but I just hardcore diet. Hardcore diet, hardcore diet diet, watching what I eat, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 12:35

Um are you thinking about food? Oh, 100%.

SPEAKER_01 12:38

100%.

SPEAKER_00 12:39

Like what though? I always ask, I always ask the fighters like what is the thing that that you really love to go eat as soon as you're done fighting.

SPEAKER_01 12:45

Any type of sweets, any type of sweets, any type of sweets. And I I just recently had a seafood boil. Oh, nice. I love that, so that's definitely added to the list for sure.

SPEAKER_00 12:54

Okay, and I I know that your your boxing nickname is Stunna. Yes. Can you give us a little background? How did you get that name?

SPEAKER_01 13:01

Yeah, so that's actually been my nickname since I would say I was like about 12 years old.

SPEAKER_00 13:05

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 13:05

And it actually started as an Instagram handle.

SPEAKER_00 13:08

Oh, cool. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:09

Actually started as an Instagram handle, and then you know, my friends just kind of started calling me that and it's stuck ever since.

SPEAKER_00 13:15

I like it. It actually suits you very well. I have, like I said, I've seen you fight, and yeah, it actually has a really nice ring to it. So what about like your family? Your family's very supportive of you, as I know. And and you know, are they are they supportive of you taking this all the way to pro? Are they concerned? I mean, I know mom.

SPEAKER_01 13:39

Right. I would say, I would say they believe I can do it, but I will say, in all honesty, when I first started, I could tell they were unsure.

unknown 13:48

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 13:49

Because I know I didn't I hadn't proved myself yet.

SPEAKER_00 13:52

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 13:53

And my self-belief may have seemed high for some people, and it might have seemed, you know, a little much for some people, but I proved myself and I came a long way, and you know, everybody started to believe as time went on.

SPEAKER_00 14:06

That's right. And all you need really is to believe in yourself anyway. It's a good show. The proof is there already. If you had the opportunity to spar someone in your weight class, one of the one of the big guys, who would it be?

SPEAKER_01 14:19

That's a good question. I would say for sure, the top amateurs like Selim Ellis Bay, Thomas Covington.

SPEAKER_00 14:25

Oh, coving for sure.

SPEAKER_01 14:27

You know, even though I already spar and, you know, Yudobu Maru Jr., okay. You know, we always get some good rounds in, and he teaches me a lot. You know, you know, I learn a lot from him. A lot of my sparring partners are pro fighters. Okay. Amateurs on the on the brink of turning pro, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 14:44

Who do you think is the most underrated pro boxer right now?

SPEAKER_01 14:47

The most underrated pro boxer. That is a great question. I would definitely say, man, underrated pro boxer. That's a tough one. That's a hard one. That's a hard one. I would definitely say You can't leave me hanging. Yeah, no, you're right. I mean, I'm gonna give it to my boy Yudobo Moro Jr. Okay. For sure. You know what I mean? Even though people know what he's capable of, I feel like, you know, people need to give him his recognition outside of New Mexico. He definitely deserves it.

SPEAKER_00 15:15

Yeah, and that's one of the things that I've taken on as a project here is to get the the fighters in New Mexico to get them more recognition nationwide. And and you know, a lot of times, and I was just talking with somebody today, when I say New Mexico, they're like, oh, where is that, Texas? I'm like, no, it's called New Mexico. And they're like, is it Mexico? I'm like, no, it's an actual state in the country that you live in.

SPEAKER_01 15:38

No, and that's that's definitely what I'm trying to do with that's definitely part of the plan with the whole boxing journey is I'm trying to put, you know, Albuquerque, I'm trying to put Burke on the map, and you know, really how have people remember and live on with, you know, the legacy that Johnny Tapia started and Danny Romero and keep it going.

SPEAKER_00 15:54

Yeah, no, you're doing it. Right. You are doing it. It's your assignment, yes, man. Okay, so who do you got winning the TO fight? Teal or Stevenson?

SPEAKER_01 16:04

I mean, I I I like TO a lot. I actually got the opportunity to speak with Teo in Las Vegas for quite some time. And, you know, I have a great video with him, you know, present in the future, as we were saying in the video, but at the same time, Shakur Stevenson is a great boxer.

SPEAKER_00 16:21

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 16:22

You know, so I think it's it's one of those fights where it's gonna be close. I definitely think it goes to the decision.

SPEAKER_00 16:27

Okay. Well, yeah, I could agree with that. I still, I mean, Tio's from my hometown, so I gotta go with Teo. Yeah, yeah. But not only that, I've watched him, I've watched him through his entire career. So from and especially from 2019 after he fought Khan, he's he's been on the rise. Like, I don't even think he's peaked yet. Yeah, no. Not that Shakur I don't think Shakur Stevenson has peaked yet either, but I just think that it's just not his time yet. I see him a little bit more down the road. I see that. Are there any are there any words of wisdom, any shout-outs that you want to give to everybody, anybody out here?

SPEAKER_01 16:59

I mean, definitely shout out to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 100%. You know what I mean? And I just want to give a moment, you know, give a name to all the people that aren't here right now, you know, Nive Padya, you know what I mean, Philip Padia. You know, some people that I've lost along this journey of life. And I would say some words of wisdom is, you know, regardless of what happens in your life, just you gotta keep going. You know, you're gonna face death, you're gonna face adversity, you know what I mean. And one thing my me and my dad my father were just talking about was, you know, this going into this next fight. This guy has the age, he has the size, he has more bouts, you know what I mean, more experience. And, you know, we're talking about how the odds are against me, but you know, the odds have been against me my entire life. So I would say for other people out there, it's just don't let the things happening around you control you. Be your own person and believe in yourself and work hard every day.

SPEAKER_00 17:53

Amen. And before we close out, I do have to mention this. I am good friends with Nana Debbie. Right, right, and I love her dearly. And she said that she gives you some words of wisdom. Yeah. What are those words?

SPEAKER_01 18:09

100%. She calls me before every fight and she tells me if I like your life is online. If I like your life depends on it.

SPEAKER_00 18:15

Hell yeah, that's what's happening.

SPEAKER_01 18:17

Exactly. Exactly. So I make sure to go on there and perform my best for her 100%.

SPEAKER_00 18:21

That's awesome. I love that. And I just I love you, I love your family, and I just I wish the best for you. And I know that all good things are gonna happen for you, and you're a child of the most high God, and you know, that's all you need behind you. 100%.

SPEAKER_01 18:36

That's all you need to, you know, to push you forward and to keep you going.

SPEAKER_00 18:39

Yeah. Amen. Thank you so much for coming on the show, and I will definitely have you on the show again, okay? And and good luck with your endeavors.

SPEAKER_01 18:47

Sounds good. Thank you. Thank you for having me.