After Junior Olympics title, Holland teen Ricardo Emiliano to box at Civic Center

HOLLAND - Ricardo Emiliano doesn't do a lot of talking - he lets his gloves to that for him.

The 14-year-old boxer from Holland is coming off of a Junior Olympic championship and looking for a big future in the ring.

"Junior Olympics was a really good experience. I just want to keep going and win more tournaments," he said.

At 14, he gets into the ring with a confident swagger.

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"When he came back this year, I saw the fire lit. He got serious," Westside Boxing Club coach Ruben Silvas said. "He did great at the Junior Olympics. He has a style and always looks good in the ring. I like that about him. A lot of kids already look up to him and he is bringing in a younger crowd."

Emiliano fights at 108-110 and relies on his quickness.

"Speed is definitely my biggest strength," he said. "It takes opponents longer to react to my speed. I'm working on my stamina and have improved on my head movement."

Holland boxer Ricardo Emiliano won the Junior Olympics and is set for his hometown debut.

Emiliano, who goes to West Ottawa's Macatawa Bay Middle School, is slated to fight in his hometown for the first time on May 16 at the Civic Center.

He is part of a card that includes fellow Holland up-and-comers Allen Torres, Anthony Torres in the professional ranks, as well as amateurs Elroy Payne, EJ Trevino and Marcos Guzman, who won the state golden gloves earlier this year.

"It is pretty cool that we can have a fight in town and not have to travel," he said.