By Edgar Solorzano: Coachella’s rising super-star Randy “El Matador” Caballero is slowly becoming an icon in Nicaragua. Caballero, 24, has always represented the American and Nicaraguan flag when stepping in the ring to invest punches. With his high boxing IQ and work ethic, the young matador has managed to add Nicaragua on the elite category of pure boxers. The Caballero’s respect and love for Nicaragua is similar to Manny Pacquiao’s relationship with his country, the Philippines.
A rare connection that many fighters fail to accomplish. The young warrior seems to have the relationship with Nicaragua that could make him a big star in the sport of boxing. Randy Caballero was born in California, however; he is slowly becoming the Manny Pacquiao of Nicaragua, or to a modern comparison, the Canelo Alvarez of Nicaragua. The progress is slowly increasing; the people of Nicaragua are starting to believe in the young world champion. The country is no stranger to the sport of boxing. Nicaragua has produced great fighters like Rosendo Alvarez; Alvarez is the only fighter to give undefeated Mexican champion Ricardo Lopez the two toughest battles of his career. The first fight lead to a draw, and the second time around Lopez fought his heart out to escape with a split-decision victory. Another well-known fighter from Nicaragua is Ricardo Mayorga, a fighter that failed to be a leader of his people. Mayorga had his success and fame, but failed to represent his country the way Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton did.
The state of Texas is 565,969 km bigger than Nicaragua; the land is quite small compared to one of the biggest states in the U.S. Nicaragua has a population of 6,080, 478 and the fighter that earned the crown to represent those millions is no other than the undefeated IBF world champion Randy Caballero. Nicaragua has been hungry for a fighter that can represent the flag well in and outside of the ring like Randy Caballero. The young matador lives and breathes boxing. The boxing ring for Caballero is like the ocean to a shark. He is comfortable in the boxing ring whether it is in his backyard or overseas, giving him the ability to conquer fighters with the instructions and game-plans given by his father, Marcos Caballero.
Before becoming the IBF world champion, Randy Caballero was just a prospect with a dream to conquer and break records. Not many knew about him, and not many saw the potential his father and Golden Boy Promotions promoter Oscar De La Hoya saw. Golden Boy’s Robert Diaz is another person that saw potential in the young Matador who is always proud to represent his Nicaraguan roots.
Many prospects fail to make it to the world championship level. Some lose focus, others fail to perform in the ring, and some do not have the discipline to grow in the sport. Randy Caballero’s first test was a fight against another undefeated young prospect by the name of Alexis Santiago. Caballero had no problem defeating the young prospect and managed to earn the victory. Caballero fought with intelligence, using the jab, and footwork to earn a one sided unanimous decision over an undefeated hungry prospect. The victory over Santiago was the first title for Caballero; winning the WBC youth intercontinental title. It was a victory that started a new chapter in Randy Caballero’s professional career, a chapter with hidden gold, championships, blood, and success.
The Caballero’s proved to be a especial force in the sport of boxing. A force that Nicaragua is proud to support; El Matadors two most important battles were fought over-seas. One in Japan against Kohei Oba for the IBF Bantamweight eliminator; a fight that ended with an explosive 8th round TKO. The other battle took place in Monaco against former world champion Stuart Hall. Caballero proved once again that he could perform under pressure and away from home by stealing the show in Europe; defeating Hall by unanimous decision to become a world champion.
Although Caballero’s success in the ring is increasing, Marcos Caballero continues to push his son to the limit. They know hard work wins championships and are not planning on stopping; they are finally accomplishing their dreams to be the pride of Coachella and Nicaragua.
The road to a world title was not easy for the Caballero’s. It took discipline, sweat, blood and tears to earn it. From five in the morning runs to improve stamina to sparring with top world class level champions like Nonito Donaire at 20 years of age. Randy’s experienced was earned with the help of his father and elite sparring partners like Abner Mares and Nonito Donaire.
In 2011, Donaire stressed that Caballero had a great future in the sport of boxing. Another fighter that believed Caballero would be the next world champion is none other than the Nicaraguan boxing veteran Rosendo “El Bufalo” Alvarez. The support and words of these champions were just a hypothesis, educated guesses without experiments or results. Only time would tell if the hypothesis made by these world champions were going to be proven true, it took three years for the Matador to back up the support and positive predictions made by the humble champions.
“Caballero is the next big thing; he is quick, young and smart.” Rosendo once stressed in an interview. “He will be a world champion one day.”
If Randy Caballero continues to conquer in the ring, he will most likely become the biggest world champion to represent Nicaragua. He could become an icon like Manny Pacquiao, the young champion seems to have a similar connection and leadership as Pacquiao. It may take a few years, but the Caballero’s have already conquered the heart of Nicaragua. After winning their first world title, Nicaragua invited them to their land, treating Marcos Caballero and the new champion like rock stars. It was a positive experience that showed the potential of team Caballero becoming the most well known team in Nicaragua.
Randy Caballero will be back in action February 27, against Alberto Guevara at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. This will be the first title defense for the Caballero’s.
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