By Joyce Hensley

Staff writer

HERMISTON Through hard work and sweat, 16-year-old boxer Lee Roy Castillo hopes someday his dream will come true stepping into the ring at Madison Square Garden.

Castillo works out twice a day under the watchful eye of his trainer, Crecencio Macias, 20, as he prepares for matches on March 24 in Salem and March 31 in Klamath Falls.

Every day Castillo, registered in the U.S.A. Boxing Association, spars with friends and family members, hits the punching bags, runs several miles and jumps rope during intense sessions.

In the 147-pound weight class, the Hermiston-born boxer will enter the ring in white shorts with his name imprinted on the back in red and the name of his sponsors on the front in green the national colors of Mexico.

Castillo painted a Mexican flag on his head gear.

As early as 13, he started dreaming about becoming a boxer.

I would spar with my uncles and my friends around home, Castillo said. I saw the Olympics and wanted to be a boxer then he (Macias) came along.

If you set your heart and mind to it, its easy, Macias said.

His favorite fighters are Roberto Duran, Fernando Vargas, and Julio Ceaser Cesar Chavez.

About 18 months ago, when Macias moved to the Hermiston area from the Willamette Valley, he saw potential in Castillo.

I told him that he doesnt know what he has in his hands, Macias said.

He urged Castillo, who already had the dream of boxing in Madison Square Garden, to begin working out in earnest for amateur boxing meets.

Thats all Castillo needed.

Stepping in the ring with hundreds of people watching would be a real adrenaline rush, Castillo said.

(For complete story, see March 6 edition of The Hermiston Herald)