What does it take to chase the Olympics when you started late and the odds say slow down? We bring you a candid, high-energy conversation with a 20-year-old Albuquerque fighter named Santiago Saavedra in his first official year of boxing, sitting at 2–2 and aiming boldly at the open division, national tournaments, and the Olympic trials. Guided by faith, family, and a father who doubles as coach, he lays out the habits that turn raw hunger into a plan: six training days a week, a goal book split between short-term wins and long-shot dreams, and a mantra he repeats when doubt creeps in.

We dig into the technical side that separates a brawler from a boxer’s boxer. He explains why footwork is his signature, how to frustrate pressure with the jab and angles, and when to switch sparring from touch work to fight pace. You’ll hear about three hard rounds at Top Rank in Las Vegas, what he learned when an opponent simply wanted to trade, and how amateurs win bouts by pairing movement with clean scoring. He’s honest about setbacks, transparent about his 2–2 start, and clear about the mission: stack experience, learn fast, and compete at 132 when it matters most.

Weight cuts, mindset, and community pride round out the story. He shares why he prefers old-school dieting over sauna suits, what foods he dreams about during camp, and how family support grew as his results did. There’s hometown fire here, too—keeping Albuquerque on the map, showing love to underrated New Mexico talent, and drawing inspiration from names like Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero. If you’re building something from the ground up—late start or not—you’ll walk away with practical training insights, a sharper view of the Olympic path, and a reminder that self-belief is a skill you can train.

If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a push, and drop a review to help more fight fans find us.

The Boxing Grind