Trainer Samuel Contreras Snr is known among boxing insiders as one of the nicest people in the business but when it comes to his son, Samuel Contreras Jnr, his pleasant demeanor changes as he expects so much from him. 

Contreras Jnr returns on May 10 in a four-round fight against the 4-5-1 Dyllon Cervantes Alvarado at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. 

Contreras, 1-0 (1 KO), has spent less than a round in the ring as a professional after he knocked out Robert Jimenez in 2:16 in his debut. Father and son drove from Palmdale, California, to Las Vegas for his first fight. They will repeat the successful formula facing a similar length drive to San Diego, California. Contreras Snr, who is a realtor by trade, knows the harsh realities of the sport. He has worked as a trainer and a manager during his long career.

“I want my son to be able to be himself, but I also emphasize the hard work that is needed to become a champion,” Contreras Snr said. “Being a trainer isn’t easy, but sometimes the hardest role is balancing being a father and a trainer. I want to be there for him, and first and foremost, and God willing, we will win a world title.”

“He’s very good at doing the basics in boxing. Sometimes it is so easy to point out, but hard to do.”

Contreras Snr has worked with a lot of up-and-comers, one of them being Cesar Diaz, an undefeated prospect signed to Golden Boy Promotions. Yet his son, the 21-year-old Contreras Jnr, is his pride and joy. The 14-time national champion, who holds a gold medal in international competition, has to build his record because, unlike in the amateurs where in a week you can see who is the best in your weight class, in the pros it takes years. Still, the young fighter remains grateful for all that is in front of him.

“We have built a bond in life, but also through the sport of boxing,” Contreras Jnr told BoxingScene about his relationship with his father. “I am just looking to take the necessary steps to achieve my goal of becoming a champion, and I know my father has my best interest at heart.” 

After his son’s first professional win, Contreras Snr showed a brief bit of emotion with a subtle fist pump after the stoppage and Contreras Jnr credits his international experience in molding him into a promising up-and-comer. 

“Fighting internationally raised his level of confidence,” Contreras Snr said. “He fought the best in the world. He knows even though it was the amateurs he has been in that scenario before facing the best. Now, it is just a matter of passing each stage of development to get him in the right situation to succeed.”