Out of the ring since 2019, Manuel "Tino" Avila returns Feb.17th

Featherweight contender Manuel “Tino” Avila retired from professional boxing in 2019.  

Typically, fighters retire due to age or a loss. Maybe an injury. 

Not Avila. 

“The only reason I had retired was because I was in the gym all the time training trying to get a fight - and nothing was coming up," the Fairfield, CA. native told me last week. "We all went through this whole pandemic where no one was fighting, but then when fights were coming back, my fight was still falling out."

Aliva anticipated boxing Diego De La Hoya, the cousin of his former promoter, in 2020. 

“I was going to fight him at Fantasy Spring Casino, but Covid didn’t let that happen,” Avila said. ”I was supposed to fight him again, but he was struggling with weight, so they postponed the fight. We asked to fight anyone else, but they said no. They finally said December 2020, I signed the contract and everything, and they still pulled out, saying he couldn’t get his visa.”

Very frustrating. 

“I just felt like me fighting again wasn’t going to happen, so I decided to retire. I didn’t like the retired life, so I called up my coach and told him I wanted to make a comeback.

Avila will be returning to the ring on February 17 in Tijuana, Mexico, against an opponent to be named. 

Golden Boy Promotions released him in 2021, though Avila had posted an outstanding record of 21 wins in 23 bouts. 

Though only 30, Avila has been battling injuries for most of his career.

“Since 2012, I’ve had injury after injury and never let my body rest, including my back,” Avila said. “Now, I actually feel younger than I did when I fought in 2019. I feel younger than I even did in 2017. For the first time in my career, I feel 100% healthy, and I’ll also be moving down to 122 pounds."

A professional since he was 18, Avila has shown an inner toughness and a cool exterior whenever matters have turned testy in the ring. His quiet nature belies his determination.

Walking away from the sport he loved was tough.

“I did miss boxing big time,” said Avila. “It was a big part of my life. I was in sports since I was four, so to have nothing to do after work that was super physical - it just wasn’t normal to me. I knew something was missing.”

Avila has the support of his wife and three young daughters as he prepares for his return to the ring.  

His comeback begins next week.