Young Grant High Boxer Continues Journey Toward 2016 Olympics In Rio De Janeiro

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A young boxer from Grant High School is continuing his journey toward the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

CBS13 spoke to Angel Rios a year ago, and decided to check on his progress now.

The Grant High senior is a focused young man, whether he's taking notes at his desk or taking a crack at solving a problem on his computer.

Rios will be the first to tell you he's grown up fast. Being one of the top local amateur boxers in Northern California will do that.

In the ring, there's no time for a lack of focus. There's no time to question what it is you are after. For Rios, there is no option other than Rio.

It's the same plan he had when CBS13 first met him in the summer of 2013. In his mind, he's already there. He's know he's wanted to do it since the age of 11 when he first put on a pair of gloves.

"When I first met him, he came to me and he was talking to me and he told me he had a dream that he wanted to be a champion," said Angel's coach Azell James, Jr.

At Grant High, champion is a phrase the high school is very familiar with. It's a football powerhouse. The schools' fighting spirit is behind every punch Angel throws. His teachers and principal stand tall in his corner.

The next step for Rios is the Youth National Championships in Reno in January. From there, it's the Olympic trials.

His father, Miguel, says the sweat equity to get to this point has been and will be well worth it.

"My son has a plan, and the plan is to go to the Olympics but it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and we're grinding every day to do this," he said.

But the cost to do it is adding up. While Rios appreciates Sacramento's support, he could use some help with travel costs and tournament fees.

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He tells CBS13 he promises to reward his supporters in gold.

"The whole thing is not just to go to the Olympics," he said. "The whole thing is to go to the olympics and win a gold."

Angel's overall record is 13-3, and he just recently moved up in weight class to welterweight.

You can track Rios' progress at AngelRiosBoxing.com.