Who is Alyssa Mendoza's father? Meet the plumber who trained Idaho's first Olympic boxer
CALDWELL, IDAHO: Alyssa Mendoza of Caldwell, Idaho, secured her first Olympic victory at the Paris 2024 Games on Tuesday, July 30. The 20-year-old boxer, who is the daughter of coach JR Mendoza, showcased resilience and tactical prowess in her debut Olympic bout.
In a thrilling match, Mendoza emerged victorious with a 3-2 split decision over Tajikistan’s Mijgona Samadova.
Mendoza's fight against Samadova was a testament to her grit and determination. She started strong, winning the first round 3-2 by landing multiple jabs. However, the second round saw a shift in momentum as Samadova took it 4-1. Despite this setback, Mendoza made crucial adjustments going into the final round, USA Boxing reported.
Post-match reflections and more about Alyssa Mendoza
“The second round I got caught the most,” Alyssa Mendoza remarked, noting the need for a strategic shift. “The third round I started moving to my right more when she was orthodox, and I felt like I landed cleaner punches in the third round.”
Down 2-1 after the first two rounds, Mendoza needed to win the majority of the judges' votes in the final round. She succeeded, taking all five scorecards and clinching the match with a 3-2 split decision.
Following her hard-fought victory, Mendoza expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. “It was a good first fight and it was tougher than I expected,” she said. “It was a good test and a good first fight and I look forward to the next one.”
Alyssa Mendoza is an emerging talent in the world of boxing, representing Team USA in the 57 kg weight class at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. At just 20 years old, she is the youngest boxer on the team. Known for her southpaw stance, Mendoza has an impressive track record in the sport.
Mendoza first made a name for herself by ranking #1 in the USA Boxing Youth National Championships in 2019. She continued to excel, ranking #3 in 2021, and earning second place in the USA Boxing National Qualifier in 2022.
That same year, she won the National Golden Gloves, USA Boxing Summer Festival, and USA Boxing Elite National Championships. With a 28.95 percent knockout rate in 49 bouts and 124 rounds, Mendoza has earned the nickname “Wrecking Machine.”
The influence of JR Mendoza
Alyssa Mendoza's success can be attributed in part to her father and coach, JR Mendoza. A former boxer himself, JR Mendoza balanced his career as a plumber with his passion for boxing. He initially trained his children, starting with his eldest son Brandon, and eventually extended his coaching to other youngsters.
JR Mendoza is dedicated to his role as a trainer, seeing it as a privilege to help kids learn boxing. He charges a nominal fee to maintain the gym and often teaches some children for free. Alyssa speaks highly of her father, crediting him with instilling a strong work ethic and serving as her biggest inspiration.
Mendoza earned her spot at the Paris Olympics by winning all her bouts at the final world qualification tournament in May. These victories made her the youngest member of the 2024 boxing team and Idaho’s first boxer to compete in the Games.
Mendoza's journey to the Olympics has been marked by consistent success despite facing hurdles. In 2023, she medaled in three international tournaments, and in 2022, she won gold at the National Golden Gloves and USA Boxing Elite National Championships.
Despite her accomplishments, Mendoza remains humble and grounded, a trait her family proudly acknowledges.
Alyssa's father describes her as grounded, strong-minded, and genuine. “She was never really a show-off,” he told Idaho Central Credit Union last month. “But when she walks into a room, she doesn’t need to say anything. You know when she walks in. That’s how it has always been.”
Following her victory on Tuesday, Alyssa Mendoza advances to the round of 16. She is set to face Brazil’s Jucielen Cerqeuira Romeu on Friday, August 2, at 10:18 a.m. ET.
