One of the living legends of the sport of amateur boxing in The City of Houston, Oscar Trevino competed as an amateur boxer from 1965 until 1980, compiling an extraordinary record of 280 wins with 230 of those wins coming by knockout, against only 26 loses. He was also a Houston Golden Gloves Champion in the open division five times starting in 1972 as a lightweight, then in 1973 as a light-welterweight, 1977 as a welterweight, 1978 as a welterweight, and 1980 as a light-middleweight.
Oscar started his boxing and martial arts studies in 1965 at The Variety Boys Club in Houston’s East End, with coaches Joel Delgado and Jack Ramos. He would begin his competitive amateur career there, starting off in the 115 pound division. After The Variety Boys Club closed down, Oscar went to the famous Magnolia Barrio Y.W.C.A. where he began studying under and competing for Coach Santos Montemayor and Johnny Severson. By this time, Oscar and several of his Magnolia “Y” team mates were some of the best amateurs in the nation, winning many Houston and Texas State Golden Gloves, along with several National Golden Gloves Titles. In 1975, The Magnolia “Y” shut down and Oscar went to Kenny Weldon’s Gym, taking Sammy “Bumble Bee” Fuentes with him, again always seeking to test his limits and raise his game to the highest levels by seeking the best coaching and competition he could find. Oscar said his toughest opponents as an amateur boxer were David Martinez Jr, James “Bubba” Buscheme, and Byron Payton.
Oscar successfully competed in boxing and martial arts at different points and at times simultaneously. He won The Houston Golden Gloves as an open division competitor five times at a time when the Houston Golden Gloves was a very big event in town, being held at The Sam Houston Coliseum. This would be the equivalent of having The Houston Golden Gloves at The Toyota Center in today’s times! Oscar also competed as a professional kick-boxer, winning 19 fights by knockout, and also becoming the P.K.A. North American Light-Weight Champion in 1976.
Oscar continues to stay in shape to this day, and is a deeply spiritual and God fearing man. Oscar attributes part of his deep religious beliefs to a bad decision that went against him in The Texas State Golden Gloves Championships in 1980, against a young Byron Payton from Troupe, Texas. After their bout Byron was invited to join The U.S. National Boxing Team in a tournament that was to be held in Poland, with the winners essentially assured of an opportunity to compete in The Olympic Trials. The team’s plane never made it to their destination, crashing a half mile from an airport in Warsaw, Poland, killing every member of The U.S. boxing team, and 65 Polish citizens.
As Oscar related the story to me he stated, “A bad decision saved my life”.
Oscar is definitely a Houston Boxing legend, he can still be seen doing “Timekeeping” at pro bouts, another great story my brother Lou, keep up the good work, God Bless You.
Thank you, and God bless you too!
Odele <3