Julio Caesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez, and Carlos Zarate. If these names ring a bell it's probably because they are all boxers hailed as heroes in Mexico. Roger Huerta may try to replicate their status in his career in the UFC, but he definitely will be facing an uphill battle.
Huerta is a very exciting, risk taking, powerful lightweight that will definitely make a splash in the lightweight division. Sure he lost to Kenflo, but Kenflo is one of the best in the world right next to BJ Penn, Gomi, and Aoki.
Huerta hopes to join them at the top of the rankings, but he has an even harder task ahead of him: being accepted in the country he so readily attaches himself to.
Huerta is not actually Mexican. This is a big setback in his quest, mainly because he may be perceived as a poser. This may be a tough word to use, but Huerta is not even a full-blooded Mexican. He is in fact half Salvadoran.
So, as an American citizen who is half Salvadoran, he is alienating both his country of origin and half of his heritage. This makes him a somewhat unlikable character.
For example, I have never been a fan of Tito Ortiz, but his entrance with a half-Mexican, half-American flag showed off his heritage and origin. This was more readily accepted.
Huerta would rather hide himself behind his Mexican flag shorts. One commentator offered this opinion, "If we asked a group of Mexican born people whether Huerta was white or Mexican they would say white."
Not only this, but as many people know, boxing is the sport of Mexico. The sweet science along with soccer has dominated Mexican culture. When another combat sport moves in on boxing there is a tad bit of backlash.
Not to mention that the man of the moment is Antonio Margarito after his win over Miguel Cotto for the WBA welterweight title. Huerta just lost also and this puts him on the backburner for any consideration at the time being.
Huerta is young though and has quite a bit of time to make up for his last fight, being only 25 years old. Holding a 20-2-1 record professionally and a 6-1 record inside the UFC, he has a bright future. The real question is whether he will reach that sky high potential that he possesses.
Lastly, he will never be a Mexican hero because Miguel Torres will be the true Mexican pioneer of MMA if there ever is to be one.
Miguel is a more pure blooded Mexican and is a lighter fighter. Why does this matter? Because Mexicans are historically more successful in lighter weight classes and love the quickness of the light weight classes.
Also, he embraces the culture. His entrance music is Mexican mariachi music which displays his love and care for his heritage. He is not seen as a poser.
Tough luck for Huerta, but I don't see any way for him to be fully accepted by the Mexican boxing culture.
21 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dorothy Willis 10 months ago
Didn't Tito carry an American flag with the flag of the state of California, not Mexico? I though that was his salute to Huntinton Beach, not Mexico.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jaime Moreno 10 months ago
As a mexican american, I'd rather see Roger as the spokesman then Tito any day. I'd be very suprised if Tito even speaks spanish. The problem with the Miguel Torres thing is that he is in the WEC and isn't as known as Roger. Roger's hard luck story is what will endear him to Mexican fans. That and having lived in Mexico and the Valley helps a crap ton. By the way the TCB bombers are a really bad gang in the Valley, how he was able to leave that lifestyle is amazing
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Curran 10 months ago
interesting comment but the point is that Tito was not trying to be an ambassador. He was not trying to pose. Also, he is in fact American which makes it an uphill battle.
Edit Comment Cancel
E Bay 10 months ago
I find as a Mexican-american, it is extremely hard to find acceptance in any walk of life. For the ones who try to acclimate themselves, we are looked @ as sellouts. For those that try to stay close to their roots, we are looked down upon and told that acclimation is the only true road to acceptance. To Americans, we are Mexican. And to the Mexicans, we will never be Mexican enough. I think he should do what he truly feels in his heart and as long as he is true to himself, I will be a fan!
Edit Comment Cancel
Jaime Moreno 10 months ago
I so agree with you.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Curran 10 months ago
thats exactly what im portraying. He will never be accepted so he should just fight and not care about that.
Edit Comment Cancel
Angela Gomez 10 months ago
OMG Kevin you COULDNT have it MORE wrong................... I guess you would need to be MEXICAN AMERICAN in order to understand weather he's truley accepted or not. As you can see by his LARGE following he is truely accepted and has a record of a true fighter to back up why he's so loved. Also considering any hispanic race person that comes out rather be considered any BUT mexcian I can guarantee mexican americans will be glad to see a man who's willing to embrace and not be ashamed of where his roots are. Also I think your a poser of a writer do to the fact that you did not research your opinions before you stated them as fact. ROGER HUERTA #1
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Curran 10 months ago
Im not talking about mexican americans im talking about mexican nationals
Edit Comment Cancel
Nate Double 10 months ago
Tito Ortiz does indeed carry the California state flag as well as the Stars & Stripes.
Edit Comment Cancel
E Bay 10 months ago
In the fight against Liddell the second time, it is clear that it is the mexican flag. Not sure about other fights.
Edit Comment Cancel
Matt Scott 10 months ago
Huerta has more immediate concerns than becoming a national hero.
(ie: Beat a credible opponent)
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Curran 10 months ago
haha ouch
...but true
Edit Comment Cancel
Big Boy 10 months ago
Huerta should just block out what the fans think! I mean focus on wrestling and you'll be liked but if you just keep on worrying about what the fans think of you, you'll get flat out dominated! Like it may be easier said then done but you've got to ask yourself
"What do I care about more, winning and doing good in matches or what the fans think of me?"
Like I'd personally say winning but of course I'm not a Mexican! Like it may be a whole different story then just not caring about the fans in a Mexican fighters mind.
Edit Comment Cancel
sam k 10 months ago
It's always interesting to read what someone's opinion is on race when they base their opinions
on preconceived stereotypes about certain people.
Are you Mexican or do you speak for Mexican people on this opinion of who they will call a hero.
You sound like those guys in the media who call Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton leaders of the black community. When you ask most black people they say Jackson and Sharpton dont speak for them.
Most of the Mexican MMA fans I know (family and friends) could care less about whether he is full blooded,50% , american etc.
If he fights in the ring wearing a mexican flag, he's just showing respect to his Mexican heritage and Mexican fans. He spent time living in mexico as a little boy selling gum on the streets to survive.
He has plenty of Mexican fans that are rooting for him.
Because Miguel is more "pure blooded" (your words) mexican he should be a bigger star with Mexican fans. Miguel was born in Chicago dude. he's probably never been to mexico. Blood has nothing to do with how you will be seen by your "people".
The people that show respect to them (no matter their blood line, race) will get it in return.
I think you spend too much time thinking about race and fighters.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Curran 10 months ago
actually thats not at all how i wrote this article. My inspiration was when an announcer called Huerta white. This was a Mexican announcer too. Also I read that Miguel Torres is perceived as more liked and respected by true mexican nationals. Also, I did research on what sport is more popular boxing vs MMA in Mexico and Boxing was waaaaaaaaay ahead. I wasn't being racist, its just that Iwas laying out facts from research. Also its an opinion piece so if my opinion differs from yours, thats unfotunate but im not changing mine.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jen Aniano 10 months ago
Dude Roger is a really good guy. And yeah I can say that because I personally know. I think that you read into his shorts more than his personality. I do not believe he is on a quest for Mexican Martyrdom but rather showing the world what he is made of inside and out. You bet your ass if I get a gig on TV I would come out with an Italian flag somewhere on my gear, not because I am an Italian citizen, but because it is my origin and my heritage. There is nothing wrong with what he is doing and he has had a rough life. He wants to show the world that Mexican-Americans are not slouches as they are typically classified for stereotypical reasons. My hat is off to Huerta and I think what you have said was out of line. Knowing the kind of guy he is you might change your mind if you researched his upbringing but to each their own man.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Curran 10 months ago
As I would with Ireland as a 2nd genration american. However, when a man wears his country on his sleeve like Cro Cop or Huerta they are looking to stand for that country. Thats all im saying.
Edit Comment Cancel
MK Wilson 10 months ago
Wow. Always fascinating to read an article where the author claims to know what lies in the hearts of readers from a different background. I won't go into what I disgree with, but I would suggest that you consider doing some research and further educate yourself on the terms "Latino, Hispanic, White Hispanic, White American, Spanish" and the general concepts of "Race" and "Ethnicity". (And looking them up on Wikipedia does not count. *grin*)
Perhaps it will help you (and other interested readers) understand why it would be completely understandable (and correct) for a Mexican announcer to call Roger "white" and also still appropriate for Roger to refer to himself as Mexican, Latino or Hispanic and not offend or alienate most reasonable people who identify with one (or several) of the previously mentioned groups.
My belief is we are fortunate to live in a place and a time where we are free to announce and identify ourselves with whatever portion of our heritage (whether genetic, geographic or adopted by circumstance) with which we feel most connected or passionate about.
Just as Brandon Vera sports Filpino tattoos and Marcus Davis wears a kilt, so may Roger wave the Mexican flag.
I enjoy the Bleacher Report and always look forward to reading the articles.
Edit Comment Cancel
E Bay 10 months ago
I thoroughly agree with your take MK. From my personal experience, it is not unlikely to have a Mexican national call another Mexican national white. In our country, white has been used as a term referring to people of Caucasian origin. In Mexico, this term is often used when describing a person of European or South American descent (generally of latin countries such as Argentina and Spain). The difference is in the US, people might think that being light skinned in Mexico might be looked down upon. In reality, it is quite the opposite. The darker the skin tone generally meant a larger amount of Indian in your bloodline. The lighter skin has become almost synonymous with the cultured ways of the western European lifestyle. There are many dark skinned musicians and performers that have a hard time catching a break because of their skin color and are said not to have “the look”. Sound familiar to anyone? Understanding a subject as complex as the acceptance of a fighter to a whole nation proves to be an extremely difficult task. I applaud Kevin for having the guts to present such a terribly difficult subject and allowing us to have a forum for our discussion!
Edit Comment Cancel
noneya bidness 10 months ago
lol I'm soo f#$%in sick of readin this s#$%
Every site I go to for boxing or anything, lol It's only the NON Mexicans tryin to say what we are or what we aren't when this topic comes up lol. I've seen minutemen protests where these morons are tryin say Mexicans are just Spaniards from Mexico, meanwhile Mexico has the largest Native American poppulation out of BOTH AMERICA'S lmfao, thats North and South if you classify Mexico as Central America and not North America.
Now you also see articles and posts across the internet like this, about Mexican-American boxers and how they "can't be Mexican." Or "they'll never be Mexican enough." Make up you're f$#%in minds! Not like you makin up your minds will even matter, you're all just talkin and typin out your asses anways lmao
"Huerta will never truly be accepted as a Mexican Hero"
lol Well no s#$%, he ain't livin in, nor is he from Meixco. But he's already viewed by Mexican-Americans as yet another one our brothers in the fight game. He's one of us, and he puts in work. Nothins gonna change that.
This f#$%in moron too...
One commentator offered this opinion, "If we asked a group of Mexican born people whether Huerta was white or Mexican they would say white."
lol Giiiiiiiit the f#$% outta here. Thats like askin a grip of Africans if they thought Muhammad Ali was white or black, and then INSISTING they would say he's white. lol F$#%in morons man.
Seriously, the only arguement you guys have, would be over the fact he doesn't come out with Salvi colors on his shorts aswell as Mex colors. But lets say Roger did come out with both Salvi and Mex colors, I'm sure you f#$%in annoying asses would still be talkin out of your asses about somthin concernin him, lol f#$%in idiots..
Edit Comment Cancel
Josue Jimenez 8 months ago
"Huerta would rather hide himself behind his Mexican flag shorts. One commentator offered this opinion, "If we asked a group of Mexican born people whether Huerta was white or Mexican they would say white.""
One thing to note is that Mexico has a large white population. Whether you are white, mesizto, or a full blooded Mexican-Indian; has nothing to do with whether or not someone is considered Mexican. I'm Mexican-American, the majority of my family comes from Mexico and most of them are White, not mixed. If you asked a group of Mexican Nationals whether or not Roger was Mexican or American, they probably wouldn't care very much. In fact my father is a Mexican National and still loves the fact that Roger is embracing his Mexican heritage. Most Mexican nationals really admire Mexican-Americans that take pride in their roots. I know I get more respect from Mexicans because I can speak Spanish and I understand the Mexican Culture. Oscar De La Hoya wasn't a Mexican National, but I know that Mexican's have supported him regardless. It has nothing to do with where you were born, it's about who you are.
"Miguel is a more pure blooded Mexican.."
I honestly do not understand what this is supposed to mean, but the color of you skin does not make you any more "pure blooded" Mexican than someone of European descent that is a Mexican citizen. In fact "blood" has nothing to do with it, it's not like Mexican's are a race. Miguel is just as American as Roger, and probably wouldn't get much more respect because he wears a mustache and has a mullet. I guess these things make someone more "Mexican" in the eyes of a white American, but please do not pigeonhole an entire country based on the guy you see washing dishes and mowing lawns. If you want to look up a real MMA fighter from Mexico, check out Nino Maroquinn. "http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Nino-Marroquin-6777". Oh, and he's a "white" Mexican.
"Tough luck for Huerta, but I don't see any way for him to be fully accepted by the Mexican boxing culture."
Mexican boxing culture won't accept Roger because he is not Mexican. They won't accept MMA to begin with. Roger, or other fighters of Mexican descent, have nothing to do with Mexican boxing culture. It's hard to say whether or not the Mexican people will embrace this sport at all. Most Mexicans find the sport of Mixed Martial Arts too violent to begin with. Mexican-Americans, on the other hand, better understand the sport and have fully embraced it, hence the growing number of Mexican-American Mixed Martial Artists. Until the purses get bigger, Mexican citizens will not take a chance on it. Boxing's legacy in Mexico is a long lasting one, and it will be some time before Mexicans will embrace MMA.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.