Fighter Profile: Ector Madera on the Up and Coming
The Genesis
Stockton 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, Ector 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.
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, Madeira 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.
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 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.”
Follow Ector Madera on social media
Twitter @ectorleonardo
