Ray Ximenez Jr. and his championship belts.

But as good as things have been and as good as things currently are in boxing circles around the Metroplex, there's a 16 year old who could possibly take it to an even higher level.   His name is Ray Ximenez [pronounced Jimenez] Jr.

You know how the younger child sits around, quietly observing the older kids at play, learning their traits and mannerisms to the point of becoming better than the older children ever were?  That's Ray.  In the boxing world, Ray has older "brothers" that he observes, trains and spars with, so don't be surprised if he matches or surpasses them all eventually.  On a regular basis, Ximenez spars with Yanez, a 2008 United States Olympian and current Texas super flyweight champion.  He's also worked with Raul Martinez, who recently challenged for the IBF flyweight championship of the world.  And for about 2 years, Ray took an "ass whipping" from the Hernandez brothers out of Ft. Worth, but now it's all paying off.

Currently ranked number one in the nation and number four in the entire world, Ximenez won the 2007 and 2009 Ringside World Championships, 2009 Junior Olympics, the 2007 and 2008 National P.A.L. and a Silver Gloves National Title.  He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Junior Olympics and a silver medal at the 2006 National P.A.L.  Earlier this year, Ray traveled abroad for the first time (to Armenia) and was a quarter-finalist in his first ever overseas tournament.  Oh by the way, he scored a 2nd round KO in his first fight of that trip.  All this, yet won't even be 17 until January 2010. Thus far, Ray's amassed a record of 86-12 and he's lost count of the number of RSC's (Referee Stops Contest) he's accumulated.

Growing up, Ray used to watch fights with his father, Ray Sr., who told his son he could be on that level some day and encouraged him to try.  For years, the elder Ximenez searched for gyms, then by chance he noticed a friend of his sporting a boxing glove tattoo.  "I asked if he knew of any local gyms and he led me to a spot about 2 miles from my house", Ximenez Sr. said.  Ironically, after looking high and low, they finally found a place virtually under their noses.  The gym was operated by Hector Pena and Lil' Ray worked out there for about 1 1/2 years, until Pena decided to invest more of his time into professional fighters.  That's when Ray Sr. decided to take over, and though he had no in-ring experience, the act of fighting certainly wasn't foreign to him. 

As fate would have it, Ximenez Sr. asked a friend about the likelihood of the city of Dallas starting its' own P.A.L.  This friend reached out to Sgt. Sheldon Smith, who called the very next day and within a week, Big Ray was head coach of the Dallas P.A.L. boxing team.  The results speak for themselves.  In addition to Ray Jr., Dallas P.A.L. has produced 5 other champions. Three females (Karina, Vanessa and Celeste Palacios) who won back to back world amateur championships, Johnathon Padilla, who brought home a 2008 National P.A.L. title and most recently, Thomas Hill, Jr., a 2009 National P.A.L. winner.  "I've been truly blessed.", Ximenez, Sr. said.  "Ever since I got involved with boxing, it seems like I've been in the right place at the right time.  Finding a gym, then training my son, then hooking up with Sheldon Smith and Dallas P.A.L.  Sgt. Smith is a man of his word and I couldn't ask for anything more."

By no means should this suggest that the Ximenez's are satisfied, however.  Ray Jr. has dedicated himself entirely to boxing, giving up football and baseball after playing competitively for 2 years.  "Our goal is the 2012 Olympics, then a pro career.  But Ray loves to draw as well, so we're getting him into architecture as a back-up plan.  He might design buildings and even his own gym some day, who knows." Ximenez Sr. said.  With each year, Ray has moved up a weight class and won titles at 106, 110 and 114.  He'll test the waters in the Men's Open division come January and expects to compete for an Olympic spot in the 119-123 range.  Father and son openly admit that they're aiming to surpass Yanez's record of 16 national titles and the "Latin Legend's" trainer, Dennis Rodarte acknowledges that Ray is "well on his way" to that.

The normally laid back Seagoville High School student has noticed an increase in his recognition as he continues to pile on titles, particularly from the young ladies.  "Sure, he makes time for girls," Big Ray admits, "But if they take his focus from boxing, the relationship won't last long.  He's real dedicated."  In fact, Ray Jr. has taking a liking to Manny Pacquiao; not because of the "Pac Man's" speed and power, but because of his work ethic, which Ray emulates.

Though laid-back and soft-spoken, Ximenez Jr. is acutely aware of his strengths and weaknesses and elaborated on them.  "I've got good power.  I hit pretty hard.  I need to work on my movement a bit, moving quicker.  But I've got good stamina and hand speed and I push myself.  I expect a lot from myself."  So do your Dallas/Ft. Worth fistic forefathers, Ray.