Karima Magazine Sep-Oct 2017

HEADLINERS
Hector Madera
HECTOR MADERA
BY MATT FREEMAN & ANGELA KARIM
TOCKTON HAS PRODUCED yet another pair
of brothers who are making their way up in the
world of professional fighting. Much like Nate Diaz
out of Stockton, California, Hector Madera is following in
his older brother’s (Quilisto Madera) footsteps. Madera
has over 40 wins as an amateur boxer and he is 2-0 as a
professional. His next fight is tentatively set for May of
2017 in his hometown of Stockton, California.
He started training at the age of 10 and won his
first ameatur fight at 12 years old. He went on to win 12
national fights by age 14. During high school he placed
1st at the USA Youth Boxing tournament.
Madera was introduced to the world of boxing
when a neighbor had decided to take his older brother
Quilisto under his wing. The two brothers made their
local gym a second home, training and honing their
fighting skills. It wasn’t before long that the brothers
were spotted and invited to fight in major competitions.
Force Behind the Drive
Madera credits his family as the driving force
behind each fight. He would like them to have financial
freedom. “We never had a lot growing up. The three
of us kids grew up in a motor home with our parents
until I was four years old and my brother was eight
years old. Eventually we moved up here to Stockton,”
stated Madera.
Through education, Madera was exposed to
and participated in many different sports. Eventually, he
turned to boxing as his main sport. “Growing up here
in Stockton and trying to train while working to earn
money to be able to train wasn’t easy,” said Madera
who worked two jobs while attending high school. The
financial burden forced him leave his traditional
education and attend Stockton High School, where he
could work on getting his diploma sooner, which he did.
here. A lot of kids just need good role models. I think
guidance is the main key.” Madera credits his older brother,
Quilisto, as having been the greatest influence in his
own life.
Madera believes strongly in giving back to his
community. In between his own busy training schedule,
he has found the time to volunteer and work with
children, ages of 8-12, twice a week training and
encouraging them. He feels strongly that getting the
kids active and off social media will allow them to
accomplish so much more. “The children are our future
and what’s presented to them now is going to continue
to grow and grow within them,” said Madera. “It’s
really important not to get distracted by the things that
are not healthy and unimportant in life. I want to focus
on creating a legacy. My dream is to be able to use my
platform in life to help change people’s lives-whether
they are kids or whomever. I want to show them the
right path and help them understand why it’s important.
I just want to help.”
End Goal
“Stockton is a city that needs to be helped.
There needs to be a change. The violence really needs
to be addressed,” said Madera. “And I think it really
can happen by affecting and help changing kids’ lives
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