What’s in a name? Julius Erving’ thrives as boxing trainer

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebuano hardcourt star Kenny Rogers Rocacurva from Camotes Island once confided that he was baptized with such name because his parents were both enamored by the singing voice of the late American singer and songwriter.

Sir Shaquille Imperial, the reigning basketball Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI), said he was named by his father Moises after NBA legends Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

The same goes to Julius Erving Junco, who revealed in a recent interview that his father Bernie is a loyal follower of Dr. J, one of the greatest and most influential cagers in NBA history.

Junco bared that his dad is indeed a diehard basketball fanatic that his younger siblings are christened MaikaJor and Earl Jordan.

Junco did play hoops during his high school days in Iloilo.

But it’s not the kind of discipline that catapulted him to the sporting world. Junco carved his own niche in Cebu sports as a boxing trainer.

“Aside from basketball, I really like martial arts as a kid. My idols were Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. I was also in taekwondo before. In short, I am really a fan of MMA (mixed martial arts),” said Junco.

“It was also my dad who influenced me into boxing when I was in Grade 4. We used to watch boxing fights in VHS tapes together. My dad has a collection of all the fights and documentaries about Mike Tyson. That sparked my interest in boxing,” added the current head trainer of Omega  Gym.

Junco, a licensed criminologist, said he’s very happy to have been given opportunity by Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI) President Pio Paulo Castillo to work as a trainer at IPI’s Omega Gym four years ago.

“Boss Pio (Castillo) offered me a job (as trainer). It only started as a part time job but now I already make a career out of it,” Junco said.

The ring strategist said he’s very passionate and a huge fan of the so-called ‘sweet science’ that he wants to learn more about it and follow in the footsteps of legendary trainers such as Feddie Roach, Roberto Garcia, Ed Reynoso and Lomachenko Sr.

“My inspiration are my family and my boxers. Most of my boxers are living a hard life that is why they’re into boxing. I want to help them,” said Junco.

“I want to make a difference in their lives and have an impact to them once they become successful and lead a better life one day. I want to leave a legacy and hopefully produce more world champions in the future.”