Fall River native to compete chasing Olympic boxing dream
FALL RIVER — Four years can seem like a long time, especially to a 19 year old.
So, Mikey Gaudreau is making his dream of boxing in the Olympics a comparatively short-term goal.
On Aug. 17, Gaudreau and his father, Michael, left for Miami. There, they're scheduled to train for a week with Pedro Diaz, one of the most respected trainers in boxing. The time with Diaz is a crucial piece in Gaudreau's preparation for USA Boxing's Last Chance Qualifier tournament Sept. 11-18 in Pueblo, Colorado.
That tourney is a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Trials. USA boxing's No. 2 ranked boxer at 119 pounds, Gaudreau in Pueblo will be competing at 125 pounds. He said that due to natural growth and his muscle training, his days as a 119-pounder are done.
That's fine at this point as 119 is no longer an Olympic weight, as it was back in 1984 when another Fall River fighter, David Gauvin, lost a controversial decision to Robert Shannon in the 119 Olympic trials final. The Olympic weight ladder now jumps from 112 pounds to 125 pounds.
Winning in Pueblo would land Gaudreau in the Olympic Trials.
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Involved in boxing for the last eight-and-a-half years, Gaudreau sports a record of 34-13. His father doubles as his trainer.
“I felt he needed special attention all the time,” Mike Gaudreau said.
They have a gym in Mikey's mother's basement in Portsmouth. Since Mikey turned 18 in February of 2022, he and his dad have been ultra busy traveling so Mikey can compete.
Most of his opponents, the elder Gaudreau said, have been ranked fighters. Mikey has fought in Colorado, Texas, and Louisiana. He fought in the 2023 Golden Gloves Nationals in Philadelphia, winning in the first round before dropping a 3-2 decision in Round 2 to eventual finalist Zeke Castro.
Due to his aggressive style and endurance, Gaudreau has grown into a huge crowd favorite, especially at the Southern New England Golden Gloves held annually at the Fall River PAL. No Gaudreau fight is dull. Or even close to dull. It's nine minutes of excitement, assuming his opponent lasts that long. Gaudreau throws a lot of punches. And hits with power.
He last fought and won last weekend at Mohegan Sun. The timing, he said, is right for his Olympic push.
“Hard work. I put in the time and the energy,” Mikey said recently at a workout at Kris Jacobs' Stay Ready Boxing and Fitness on Ferry Street. “I put in time not just in the boxing ring. Outside of the ring, too. I watch videos of fights. I watch videos on how to eat as a boxer. I know all about calories. Calories in and calories out. What to eat — carbs, proteins. How to work my muscles.”
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He's learned about stretching. About ice baths. He meditates.
“Anything,” he said, “To grow as a person, mentally, physically, I'll do, just to be better. That's where I'm at right now. The Olympics is the next step for me.”
One of 11 children who grew up in the city's south end, Mike Gaudreau did not box. He describes himself as a street fighter in his youth. His whole family, he said, were known as fighters. When his boy Mikey became a target of bullying as a grade schooler, Mike introduced him to boxing at the Fall River PAL.
Now as his son's every day boxing coach, Mike said he uses “common sense” while taking bits and pieces from the many trainers the Gaudreaus have connected with over the last eight-and-a-half years training and sparring.
Mike said the Greater Fall River community has been very generous in helping the Gaudreaus deal with the expense of such a serious commitment to Mikey's career. On Wednesday night, there was a fundraiser for Mikey at the Italian Progressive Club on Slade Street. As of Wednesday night, his GoFundMe page had donations totaling $990, with the goal of $3,000. www.gofundme.com/f/last-chance-qualifier-for-2024-olympics
One of his supporters, Fall River businessman Stevie Hebert, is also Mikey's strength and conditioning trainer. Hebert owns Elite Energy Services. He has printed T-shirts with a large MTM on front. Beneath MTM, which stands for Mikey the Man. Hebert and the Gaudreaus respectfully borrow from pro wrestling legend Ric Flair by adding, “To be the man you've got to beat the man.”
Spending a week with Diaz at his famed Mundo Boxing facility in Miami, the Gaudreaus decided, is worth the expense and the time away from home. According to boxinguniversity.com, Diaz, a Cuban native, “has worked as the head coach and has designed training plans for multiple Olympic Champions and professional world champions in Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).”
A former Cuban boxer and trainer, Diaz stepped into the international spotlight when he helped prepare Miguel Cotto to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2012.
“He's very, very respected. He's very, very great,” Mikey said. “If you work with great, you're going to be great. That's what I want to do. My dad has taken me very far and this is the next step. That's perfect for me. I think I'm ready for it.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River boxer Mikey Gaudreau chasing Olympic dream
