​A rising boxing talent from Salinas is making waves on the national stage after earning a silver medal at the USA Boxing Junior Olympics. Anthony “Rayito” Hernandez, who recently turned ten, is already drawing attention for his standout performances and natural athletic ability. His coach, Josh Sanchez of MXN Boxing Center in Salinas, praises Hernandez’s talent and work ethic, noting that the young fighter has been training at the gym since he was seven years old. “Anthony has talent and a natural athletic ability—and it shows,” Sanchez said.
Hernandez navigated one of the nation’s most challenging youth boxing tournaments, mounting a series of victories to reach the championship bout and secure a silver medal at the USA Boxing Junior Olympics in Wichita, Kansas, last month. Entering the final match, the 10-year-old held the No. 4 national ranking in his division, and the silver-medal finish is expected to propel him up the standings to No. 3 or No. 2 in the country.
“Anthony now has 20 fights, with four losses, and two of those losses came at the Silver Gloves and now the Jr. Olympics—that’s a really good record,” said Sanchez, who has spent four decades coaching boxing. “I haven’t had a child that young with that level of success before; it’s really impressive.” Hernandez’s notable achievement has even drawn recognition from Salinas City Hall. City Councilman Andrew Sandoval lauded the youngster’s talent, perseverance, and strong work ethic as defining traits of many Salinas youths. “Anthony’s achievement is a tremendous source of pride for our entire community,” Sandoval stated. “His dedication, discipline, and determination have made Salinas proud and inspired young athletes throughout our city. We congratulate Anthony, his family, coaches, and everyone who has supported him on this incredible journey.”
Photos show Anthony “Rayito” Hernandez in the ring, celebrating a silver finish in his division at the USA Boxing Junior Olympics. Like many young athletes, Hernandez was introduced to boxing by a parent. His father, Daniel Hernandez, is a lifelong boxing fan who helped spark his son’s interest in the sport. “Me and my dad used to go to a lot of professional boxing matches,” Daniel said. “Then I started bringing Rayito along and getting him involved.” When Rayito was about three, Daniel bought him a punching bag, and by age seven he enrolled him at the Salinas gym to learn the fundamentals of boxing. The plan was simple: build a strong base of skills, but the result was a deep, enduring love for the sport.
“The boxing bug stuck,” Daniel explained. Today, the younger Hernandez spends countless hours training, driven by a passion for boxing that goes beyond the gym walls. Father and son often train together outside the gym, running and discussing nutrition, in addition to the hours inside the gym. Daniel described the experience as deeply emotional: “Just seeing him in the ring—it’s a feeling I can’t explain. It’s admiration, and I’m incredibly proud of him.”
Sanchez emphasized that Hernandez’s journey is about more than medals. The coach highlighted the broader impact of Hernandez’s success on his community and on aspiring young boxers. The junior athlete’s perseverance, discipline, and dedication serve as a powerful example for others in Salinas who dream of competing at high levels while balancing school, training, and family life.
As Hernandez continues to climb the national rankings, his supporters anticipate future milestones in a career that has already begun to shine brightly. With a strong foundation built at MXN Boxing Center and the unwavering support of his family, coaches, and the Salinas community, Rayito Hernandez is well positioned to continue advancing on the national boxing scene and inspiring the next generation of local athletes.