Kevin Gudino is following the humble, blue-collar roots of his manager, Arnold Barboza Jnr.
A rookie bantamweight prospect, Gudino knocked out William Dana in the first round last Saturday at Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California. The highlight-reel finish took place after the main card, as the fight lasted only 26 seconds.
Gudino, 3-0 (3 KOs), is starting at a grassroots level, building his record in a fashion similar to that of Barboza, spending his early pro years in the greater Los Angeles area. A 19-year-old from La Puente, California, Gudino had trouble finding an opponent leading into his most recent fight.
He opted to take the only fight he could get, which was a weight class above his ideal weight. Barboza, who met Gudino when he was 4 years old, was in attendance to support the fighter he helps guide.
“He is a very talented fighter, we are building him up, and helping him grow,” Barboza told BoxingScene. “He understands that the hard work has to be put in, and we are here to help him and teach him.”
Trained by his father, Sal Gudino, they took a fight at junior featherweight to stay active, as it was hard for him to get fights.
“We had to fight someone heavier than him, because in his last training camp, they couldn’t find an opponent,” the elder Gudino told BoxingScene. “It is hard to find an opponent when someone has a lot of experience in the amateurs.”
Gudino turned professional in October; he returned in February and most recently picked up his third victory. The short-term goal now for the former amateur standout is to stay busy.
“I have a 10- to 15-year amateur career with six to seven national titles, including Silver Gloves,” the younger Gudino told BoxingScene. “I feel making this next step was necessary to test myself.”
The family patriarch explained how his son got into boxing.
“I have two older sons who are boxers as well,” Sal Gudino said. “He started when he was four, and since then, I have been training him.”
Fighting is the family business, as Gudino was accompanied by his younger brother Isaiah during fight week. Gudino’s win over Las Vegas’ Dana helped establish him early in his career.
Yet, it didn’t come naturally as he was hesitant to try boxing at first.
“At first, I didn’t want any part of it,” Gudino said. “I saw how my brothers were in it already, and I felt motivated to be in that same situation as them. Being able to train with my brothers motivated me since I knew I wouldn’t be alone.”
Barboza is also trained by his father, Arnold Barboza Snr, and believes Gudino will make a lot of noise in his division relatively soon.
“He has a lot of experience, great footwork, and is an accurate puncher,” Barboza said. “He was a good amateur, and people are going to see him soon. I’m excited for him; he is beyond talented.”
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
