Hurtado fighting for spot in the Olympics

The 21-year-old Hurtado was successful in his endeavor and won the bout with Saenz, of Indio, Calif., by walkover.

The relatively effortless victory stands in stark contrast with the bumpy and less-traveled road Hurtado has decided to drive down on his quest to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games, in Beijing, China.

Hurtado was a virtual unknown when, at 17, he made a run through the Olympic Trials all the way to the 2004 U.S. Olympic Box-offs, in Cleveland, Ohio, where he eventually lost to Rau'Shee Warren, of Cincinnati. Warren subsequently represented the U.S. at 106 pounds in the Olympic Games, in Athens, Greece.

During the subsequent years, Hurtado, a former Sparks High School student, took some time off from boxing and was considering entering some national tournaments when he suffered a broken right leg while playing soccer.

In addition to having a long metal rod surgically placed from his knee to his ankle, Hurtado, who works for Advanced Installation, where he installs drywall and paints, became a father to two daughters, Natalie (2) and Briza (1).

"After his big break, he tried to be a regular person," said Hurtado's trainer, Arthur Leon.

In the interim, Hurtado had plenty of time to reflect on what was, what could've been and what could still be.

"The whole time (off), I sat at home and watched pro fights on TV," Hurtado said Sunday from Houston. "I would always think about 2004 - if I had won, how it would've been different. I didn't want to be a guy sitting down 10 years from now, watching champions and going, that could've been me."

So about eight months ago, Hurtado went back to the man who helped get him to the Olympic Trials the first time, Leon.

"He tried a few other gyms and trainers before he came back and asked for some help to try and rebuild him," Leon said. "He came back really rusty. He loosened up and shaped up."

By May 26, Hurtado had improved enough to win the Western Trials, in Salt Lake City, earning himself a place along 16 other boxers in the U.S. Championships, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

If Hurtado was to keep his dream alive, he would have to be among the final eight boxers who would then advance to the Olympic Trials.

Hurtado slugged his way to a second-round stoppage of Noel Salas, scored a 22-11 victory over Luis Rangel, and notched a 9-8 decision over Saenz before eventually dropping a 14-8 decision to 2007 Pan American gold medalist Luis Yanez, of Duncanville, Texas, who is ranked No. 1 by USA Boxing.

Having survived the eight-man cut, Hurtado is currently tied with Jerail Singleton, of St. Louis, Mo., as the No. 4-ranked 106-pounder.

Hurtado will now face Daniel Lozano, of Bowling Green, Fla., who on Monday took a 14-13 decision over Roberto Celon, of Duraville, Fla. The pair will meet today in the second round of the double-elimination tournament, which runs through Sunday and will decide who will represent the United States in Beijing.

In other 106-pound action, Yanez won a 27-12 decision over Malcolm Franklin, of Rialto, Calif., and Singleton took a 25-20 decision over Keola McKee, of Wailuku, Hawaii.

Hurtado said the leg injury has had its detriments.

"It took some getting used to running on it again," Hurtado said. "It feels a lot better from six months ago. Mentally, I had to get through thinking I'd hurt it running or something. At first I tried to switch to southpaw and put weight on my bad leg. As I improved, I was able to switch off. It feels good now. I'm almost back to normal."

Hurtado also thanked Leon for his help in returning him to form.

"I've got a really good coach," Hurtado said. "I give a lot of credit to him to get me back where I need to be. A lot of kids didn't make it to where I am now. They've been busy for four years. I've got eight months' training."

Not only is he four years wiser and physically more mature, Hurtado also has been there before, something he hopes to use to his advantage.

"I know how it works now," he said. "I know the way to do the (electronic) point-scoring system. I know what the judges are looking for. You have to try and get good points. I'm a lot more prepared this time around than when I was younger in 2004. In 2004, I was just letting my punches go, (using) a little more pro style."

Should Hurtado prevail against Lozano, he could face Yanez as early as Wednesday.

"I'm just taking it fight by fight," Hurtado said. "He beat me two months ago. I'm going to think what I did last time and do more of it. I'm going to pull through this time."

Hurtado is also aware of how valuable an Olympic gold medal could be in furthering his boxing career as a professional and he's determined to do something about it.

"I believe I have a future in this game," Hurtado said. "I can't sit around and let the future fly by."