Mar
15
Angelo: A Story of Character and Determination
March 15, 2021 | Leave a Comment
Angelo Escobar slumps down on the red mat beneath him, fully tired after the last two hours of training. He runs his hand through his shaggy black hair that he thinks about cutting, but for now, likes the look it gives him. Leaning towards his friends, he starts to discuss what he could have done better, and how he can improve. Because he has to be at his best; he has a fight at the Capitale in Manhattan in one week and if he wins it could mean a huge advantage for his career as a fighter.
Escobar started mixed martial arts at the age of 16 when his dad essentially told him to stop being lazy and go outside and do an activity. He found Tiger Schulmann’s through an online search and after taking his first class stuck with it to this day. He got lost in the class and used it hereafter as a way to take out his frustrations. Like any other typical beginner, he started with a kickboxing class. Kickboxing is a form of martial arts where you strike, and defend with your hands and legs. As a beginner, you start on the bag and the more advanced you become the more you are allowed to spar other students in the class. For him, the transitioning from training to actual sparring matches was an easy one. He loves the adrenaline rush and the self-confidence it builds when he goes against an opponent and wins. But his goal isn’t to win but to always keep learning and challenging himself.
When he first started training his family was very supportive of him and happy that he found something to do besides stay at home and watch tv and play video games. Now that he is fighting, they aren’t the happiest. Both parents would prefer he stay home and train only for self-defense. His mom would always ask him “Is it with gear, or without gear?” whenever he would step into the ring, worrying for her only son. His father was always into combat sports but seeing his own son in the ring caused him to realize how unsafe it was. Even though they do not fully support his decision to fight professionally they understand how much it means to him and try to come to his fights and support his training.
Just a few months ago Escobar graduated from Queen’s College at 23 years old. Escobar has always had a great connection to his Ecuadorian background, his favorite meal being the typical Spanish rice and beans. He says he gets his drive and passion from his culture as well. His sharp cheekbones and muscular build are also something he claims from his Ecuadorian roots. Going through college, while simultaneously focusing on college and work, was a challenge that he faced and overcame last year. Graduating with a major in childhood education, Escobar wants to be a teacher. Working two jobs, one as a martial arts instructor and manager, and the other helping his dad manage his Mr. Softee business, he is trying to save up to one day open his own school. Although a little cliché, he wants to take everything he has learned and give back somehow and teaching is the way he wants to do so, whether it be in a classroom or on a mat.
While Escobar is trying not to focus on the anxiety of having a fight he does contemplate what this fight means to him. He focuses on his family, friends, and those supporting him in the crowd. But to him, this fight is a time to test and challenge himself. He preaches that martial art is about building character and accepting challenges. “Life throws things at you, and makes you feel uncomfortable and I just hope that this fight can bring that to me so I can learn from it.”
He references the latest fight he watched with Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier. Khabib won the fight, but Escobar looks up to Poirier more because of his character. Poirier, a fighter since 2011, has been involved in charity all throughout his career, giving back to his community step by step. Escobar grew up with a family that taught him strong morals and to always give back and to see Poirier doing so he is inspired. “He has a big platform and he uses it for good,” and that is the kind of person and fighter he wants to be.
Escobar has had two fights so far. Both amateur kickboxing fights at La Boom in Queens, NY. His first two fights were hosted by Extreme Cage Fighting (ECF), a gym company that hosts amateur fights for competitors of all ages and martial arts in Queens. This is a great opportunity for amateur fighters to get a start on their career and put their names and fighting styles out there. While these fighters might do this for a living, they are not considered “pro fighters”. A pro fighter is under contract with an organization or a fight team. They get paid according to their reputation and public worth as a fighter. Meaning, even if they lose a fight they get paid for just showing up. On the other hand, other fighters such as pro fighters or amateurs, do not get paid that much. They get paid a commission depending on how many tickets they sell and that is it. Meaning the challenge for most fighters is trying to draw a big crowd. Escobar hasn’t really struggled with this as his gym and its members are supportive and enjoy going to the fights.
Fighting in the ring is much different than training and sparring. In class Escobar goes against people that he knows and could see their fighting styles in his sleep. He knows his regular training partner opens too wide on his hooks. He can tell that every time that girl throws a round kick she is off balance for 5 seconds. During his fight on September 19th, he is not going to know any of that. He will not know the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent. They will be facing each other for the first time and will have to analyze and learn each other’s techniques as they are fighting.
Escobar has successfully won his first two amateur fights. In the first fight, he won by technical knockout, resulting in a stoppage 30 seconds through the first round. Going into his first fight he was calm, on autopilot. His control over his emotions allowed him to focus on his opponent, throwing power shots that resulted in a win. This third fight will be his ticket to Madison Square Garden if he wins.
Fellow competitor and instructor to Escobar, George Etienne, was supposed to fight at MSG before his opponent pulled out last minute. Etienne says Madison Square Garden is “a place of self-recognition and … a platform dreamed by many but achieved by few.” That is how most people see MSG, as that is where the top fighters get the most recognition and go on to gain fame in the MMA world.
But for Escobar that isn’t what the fight is about. He just wants the chance to prove what he can do. “If you’ve been practicing something why not put it to the test you know?” He is not trying to go for the knockout in this fight. That is what he learned the most from his time in the ring and training; not to try to knock your opponent down but to have a good fight.
Waking up at 1 am, he goes to his gym and starts working on his technique: “I was laying down and had this feeling my opponent worked harder than me today” and that’s something his drive won’t allow.
Whatever the outcome of this fight, he knows that the process is the biggest test of character he has had. Toeing the line between cocky and too humble, Escobar knows he is a fighter to be reckoned with but he will never stop pushing himself either.
