Daniel “Chucky” Barrera is dwelling. It’s not that the unbeaten flyweight has deserted Upland, California, however for a month earlier than each battle he wants to go away to get all the pieces proper and take away any, and all, distractions.
Fairly mature, however, based on Barrera, additionally crucial.
“No matter whether or not we’re in California or in Arizona, I might say I am very disciplined in that I type of lock myself up in my room every single day after coaching; the one time I come out is to go run and eat,” mentioned Barrera, who makes the three-and-a-half hour journey to Fort Mohave, Arizona, to arrange for fights. “I simply assume it is essential that you just keep actually targeted and act such as you’re not at dwelling, the place you are in a position to see your pals and your loved ones, as a result of it is only a completely different mentality that it places you in. I really feel prefer it’s nice for fighters, and all fighters ought to do it, and in the event that they get used to it now at an early stage of their profession, they’re going to be used to it when the massive title fights come and when it is actually vital that you just keep locked away and targeted and away from individuals which can be going to get you in bother.”
A 22-year-old with distractions? Nah, by no means.
“You by no means know,” he laughs. However, all kidding apart, being a prizefighter isn’t the everyday job, and if you wish to make it to a sure stage, you possibly can’t be a typical younger man. So Barrera discovered early on, earlier than he even started a professional profession in 2022, that he needed to keep away from the same old issues hooked up to being in your late teenagers or early 20s.
“Within the amateurs, I used to be the identical approach,” he mentioned. “I wouldn’t go to highschool dances and stuff as a result of I used to be like, ‘Oh no, I’ve a battle subsequent week, I’ve to remain dwelling’. So I feel from the amateurs I already had it in me to lock myself away. And positively once I turned professional it grew to become extra critical, like a month out – perhaps a month-and-a-half out. I will not see any of my relations, apart from my mother and pa, or my buddies.”
It is labored, to the tune of a 4-0-1 (3 KOs) document that he hopes to enhance to 5-0-1 when he meets Jonathan Almacen this Friday at Chumash On line casino in Santa Ynez, California. At 7-9-3, the Philippines’ Almacen gained’t be favored to upset the native hero, however their bout will possible hold Barrera’s followers within the venue and watching on UFC Battle Move blissful, as a result of he’s shortly develop into a ticket vendor within the space – a improvement Barrera takes delight in as he makes his approach up the ranks.
“It is fairly cool,” he mentioned. “It is one thing I might’ve by no means anticipated beginning off as a professional. I had lots of people that at all times supported me within the amateurs, however when you flip professional, that is the place issues actually matter, and you’ll lose followers, or you possibly can acquire followers, and I really feel like I’ve gained a variety of followers they usually’ve been very supportive of me. So, I am simply tremendous excited to see the way it’s going proper now.”
In different phrases, as he approaches his two-year professional anniversary this summer season, all the pieces has largely gone based on plan.
“The one factor I might change is ensuring I by no means received injured in any approach,” mentioned Barrera. “That may be the one factor I’d change, however these have been minor setbacks. Aside from that, I am very grateful for the alternatives I have been given and I am very blessed, so I am very excited to proceed and begin off this 12 months robust, and hopefully we finish this 12 months robust, as effectively.”
In an ideal world, Barrera says that he’d wish to get six fights secured in 2024, which, if he retains profitable, would put him at 10-0-1 heading into subsequent 12 months. After which his friends want to start out watching their again, as a result of “Chucky” is coming.
“There’s a variety of guys that I see preventing in my weight division that I control,” Barrera mentioned. “I do know they will be potential opponents. Each time they battle, I positively tune in and watch them and see what they do. So there is a risk that subsequent 12 months, or perhaps this 12 months, there is a battle, no matter what tempo we transfer at. I imply, we’ll battle finally.”
