JESUS CARO
Pro Record: 5-0, 3KO's
Hometown: Pawtucket, RI

By Michael Parente
Photos By: Emily Harney

PROVIDENCE – Jesus Caro started out fighting for himself. His hopes. His dreams. His future.
The source of Caro’s motivation changed on Nov. 2, 2008 with the birth of his daughter, Nyomi Lissette.
“She’s the love of my life,” Caro said. “She needs me for everything and she gives me the push I need.”
Young Nyomi would be proud. Since turning pro in May, her happily-married father is 4-0 with four knockouts – all within the first two rounds – and is quickly climbing the ladder as one of Classic Entertainment & Sports’ rising stars.
A dedicated family man looking to build a better life for his wife and daughter, Caro has the talent and personality to win over fans throughout Rhode Island. The 23-year-old light welterweight overwhelmed each of his first four opponents with his nimble footwork and deceptive hand speed, including an impressive first-round knockout against Jerry Pressley on the undercard at “February Frenzy.”
“To be honest, at first I just boxed to train and fight,” said Caro, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States when he was 5 years old. “I never thought I’d come this far.”
A lot has changed for Caro since he caught the eye of Peter Manfredo Sr. several years ago while working with trainer Artie Artwell at Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket.
“He used to tell [Artwell], ‘I want that kid’s contract!’” Caro recalled.
At first, Caro tagged along with a friend just to stay in shape, but soon developed a passion for the sport and began working exclusively with Artwell. He and Caro eventually parted ways, so Caro began working with Manfredo Sr., who he admits “helped sharpen me up.” Caro eventually linked up with CES president Jimmy Burchfield through his relationship with Manfredo Sr. and officially joined the team after knocking out each of his first two opponents in the opening round.
Less than two weeks after the birth of his daughter, Caro stepped back into the ring on the undercard of the Nov. 13 Peter Manfredo Jr.-Sakio Bika fight at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and disposed of Jose Velazquez with a vicious overhand right at the end of the second round.
The promising young prospect has barely had enough time to catch his breath.
“It’s all happened so fast. I’m suddenly fighting in front of a lot more people,” Caro said, “but once you get in there it’s all about the guy who’s in front of you.
“One of the biggest things for me has been being more careful and, actually, when I get in [the ring] to be more calm, not just throwing shots to throw them. [Manfredo Sr.] has sharpened me up a lot in that aspect. It’s been a day-by-day process working on the little things.”
Caro has been forced to learn on the job since he didn’t start fighting until he turned 16. At first, his father disapproved.
“He said, ‘No, you’ve got to be young when you get into this.’ Like 9 years old,” Caro said. “He said it’d be too late, but when my friend told me he was going to box, I said, ‘This is my chance.’”
Caro fought roughly 50 times as an amateur, winning Golden Gloves tournaments in Fall River and Lowell and making it to the finals of a regional tourney in New York. When he turned pro, he gave his great grandfather – a former boxer himself – one of his custom-made T-shirts.
“He’s 95 years old and he doesn’t take it off!” Caro said with a laugh. “He has to wash it every day.
“He used to tell me, ‘I fought as a champion when I was your age,’ and that kind of got me into it. I always liked watching boxing as a kid – [Julio Cesar] Chavez, [Felix] Trinidad, [Oscar] De La Hoya. Chavez was one of the best. There was no one like him.”
The decision to work with Manfredo Sr. was a no-brainer for Caro, who also idolized Manfredo Jr. while growing up and paid close attention to the father-son relationship between the two.
“What better guy to have than someone who has gone through it already?” Caro said. “From the beginning, I watched Peter when he was coming up and I’d see how his dad trained him. He obviously did a good job. His father has so much experience.”
Likewise, Caro has developed a strong relationship with Burchfield, who also promoted Manfredo Jr. while the “Pride Of Providence” reached stardom as a finalist in the inaugural season of ESPN’s “The Contender” reality series.
“Jimmy’s always been a real good guy – respectable,” Caro said. “He’d always come down to the gym to watch little Peter train and he’d see me sparring with the guys and always tell Peter, ‘I want that kid’s contract!’ Peter said, ‘We’ll talk about it.’”
They eventually did and now Caro is a member of Team CES, which could take his career to the next level. As time goes on, Caro wants to make a name for himself in this sport, but for now he’s fighting for a bigger cause much closer to his heart – his family.
“I want to be world champion someday so I can give them a better home and life,” Caro said.