By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Angel Blancarte’s boxing career has already taken him across the country and around the world.
Now, the Hutchinson boxer is preparing for another international opportunity at the 2026 U19 World Boxing Championships, scheduled for Oct. 14-28 in Budva, Montenegro.
Blancarte, a senior who trains at Enemy Boxing Club in Hutchinson, is ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 2 in the world in his weight class. His rise includes national championships, international competition in Germany and a second-place finish in Thailand.
“It feels pretty good. It’s a big accomplishment,” Blancarte said. “It’s hard to understand it because I go to these places and I’m just there to fight and train.”
Enemy Boxing Club head coach Richard Gadbury said Blancarte is the lone U.S. boxer at 187 pounds competing at that level.
“He’s representing this town and this country at the world level,” Gadbury said. “You’re the only one at 187 pounds in this country that represents us. It’s just you.”
Blancarte’s preparation includes training two or three times a day. His schedule can begin around 5 a.m. with strength and conditioning before additional cardio, boxing work and evening practice.
He is also balancing boxing with school and plans to return to Hutchinson High School following the world tournament to finish his senior year.
“At first it was kind of difficult because you train and give it all, and then you come home and you just want to chill, but you have to do homework,” Blancarte said. “You have to be disciplined with it.”
Blancarte said boxing requires a year-round commitment.
“There’s not a season for this,” he said. “You always have to be ready.”
His long-term goal is to continue through the USA Boxing system and eventually earn a spot on the Olympic team.
“We’re mainly focused on this world tournament,” Blancarte said. “From there, we’re going to keep working and try out for the Olympic trials.”
Before heading overseas, Blancarte will be at the Kansas State Fair on Friday, Sept. 18, at the Neutral Corner Beer Garden outside the Sunflower South Building.
Gadbury said 10% of the beer garden’s sales Friday will go toward supporting Blancarte and the expenses associated with his competitive boxing career.
Enemy Boxing Club is also preparing for a professional boxing show Oct. 3 and is working toward establishing an education scholarship fund for its fighters.
For now, Blancarte’s focus remains on Montenegro and the opportunity to compete against some of the top young boxers in the world.
“Stay tuned,” Blancarte said, “because we’re going to go win this gold medal.”