Returning to the ring wars, Mike Jimenez looks to the future
By John J. Raspanti
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When Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez steps back into the ring this Friday, he’ll likely allow himself to think back for a moment to a year ago, when the Windy City favorite accomplished a dream.
“Winning the WBCCA super middleweight title is one of the happiest moments of my life,” Jimenez told this writer via email. “It truly was thrilling, amazing, and a heartfelt for my fans and me. I was happy to give it back to them.”
After defeating Aaron Pryor Jr. for the WBCCA strap, Jimenez (21-1-1, 14 KOs) was hoping for a title shot at either the WBC, WBA, or IBF champions, but something more important got in the way.
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“I had to a fight opportunity but passed on it because of some family matters I had to tend to,” said Jimenez. “I had to put everything aside to be with my family for awhile.
Jimenez, who also works as an iron worker in downtown Chicago, stayed in shape. His two occupations take about 15 hours a day, but Jimenez would have it no other way.
“I started working as an ironworker and boxing at the same time,” said Jimenez. “I was around twenty. I think doing both benefits me. I’ve never done one or the other by itself. It seems that I’m always go, go, go. For me this routine is always about work."
Jimenez is itching to get back in the ring. In late April, he injured his neck while sparring. The injury was painful-limiting Jimenez’ ability to train. Given an option of delaying his return, or fighting, Jimenez took the latter.
“I need to be in the ring,” Jimenez said. “I need to be back under the lights and giving the fans a good fight. I was too stubborn to cancel.”
That stubbornness has served him well in the ring. He rebounded from the only loss of his career by flattening Francisco Ramon Benitiz. That fight was followed by knockout victories over Dezi Ford, and Miguel Cubus, and a draw with Pryor in their first go around.
In their second encounter, Jimenez rallied from a knockdown to edge Pryor Jr. in 12 back-and- forth rounds.
Jimenez,31, can’t wait to get back in the ring.
“I’ve fans to feed,” said Jimenez. “I’ve got wins to get. I’ve got a lot in front of me. We got to get it done.”
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