Photos & story by Herman Delgado
I sat down for dinner with a relaxing visit with Mr. and Mrs. Mata this past week, and it was like taking a walk down memory lane. I enjoyed a huge slice of humble pie, and refilled my heart with lots of energy and love…we all need and could use a Mr. and Mrs. Mata in our life. stated Herman Delgado.
In the sport of boxing, you come across many obnoxious, loudmouths, and showboats, so it’s rare when you come across someone involved in this sport that is quiet, genuine, and has a heart of gold. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Reyes Mata Jr., over 30 years ago, and soon after, I met his beautiful and supportive wife, Mrs. Estela Mata. If you sit down and have a conversation with Mrs. Mata, it’s easy to understand why this man has such patience, compassion, love, and energy to touch the lives of so many young kids and men and teach them the sweet science of boxing. In Spanish you call someone who is a master of their craft, ‘El Maestro’, and a woman who supports her husband, raises her children, and cares for her family…’A Lady’. From the day I met them both, I have always addressed this beautiful and humble couple as Mr. and Mrs. Mata, and I will continue to do so, stated Herman Delgado.
At 75 years of age, Mr. Mata has taken well care of himself in and out of the ring; He married his Ysleta High School sweetheart, the former Estela Argumaniz in 1963. They have been happily married for 56 years and counting, and have raised three beautiful and well-educated children, Elizabeth Jurado (Richard) (Teacher), Rudy (Attorney), and Reyes III (Journalist). They are also the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren.
At 18-years old, Mr. Mata was employed by a local Orthodontist, delivering dentures to patients at the rate of $40 per week. His brother-in-law Frank Argumaniz took him aside and explained to him that if he was going to marry his sister, he was going to have to do better than $40 per week. Argumaniz took him under his wing at the G.W. McClure Construction site, and Mr. Mata’s career in the construction business began. He retired as a Project Manager for C.F. Jordan in 2011.
At 18-years old, Mr. Mata was employed by a local Orthodontist, delivering dentures to patients at the rate of $40 per week. His brother-in-law Frank Argumaniz took him aside and explained to him that if he was going to marry his sister, he was going to have to do better than $40 per week. Argumaniz took him under his wing at the G.W. McClure Construction site, and Mr. Mata’s career in the construction business began. He retired as a Project Manager for C.F. Jordan in 2011.
Mr. Mata started his amateur boxing career in 1960, at the age of 17, under the guidance of Coach Lefty Pandelitis, but that fighter-coach relationship only lasted a year. He then began a lengthy boxing relationship with the late Jesse Fonseca that lasted six years, and closed off his amateur career under the watchful eye of Chito Barragan and Beto “Diablo” Marrufo. During his amateur career as a lightweight and light welter-weight, he compiled a record of 36-6, in which he won five regional Golden Gloves titles and reached the finals three times at the prestigious Texas State Golden Gloves Tournament, in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1971, at the age of 28, Mr. Mata’s career was cut short due to a car accident in which he suffered a concussion and injuries to both his hands. There would be no pro career for him, but he channeled his knowledge and passion for the sweet science into coaching and mentoring young men. During his time as a trainer and the President of the El Paso Amateur Boxing Association from 2000-2010. Mrs. Mata was also very involved with the amateur boxing program, where she served as a ringside judge during this same time frame. In 2017, after 46 years of training and coaching fighters, Mr. Mata closed up his locker and stepped away from a sport that had been a big and important part of his life. Mr. Mata still follows boxing, and with that genuine smile of his he holds up his fist and says, “I like Canelo, I enjoy watching him fight.”
A 1997 El Paso Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee, Mr. Mata made quite an impact on many fighters and coaches. Ruben Garcia, a notable and highly respected boxing trainer in the amateur and professional arena has nothing but admiration and respect for Mr. Mata. “I met Mr. Mata in 1989 at the San Juan Boxing Gym. I was asked by Mrs. Flora Garcia, Director of the TNT program to find a trainer to help me run the boxing program. I didn’t have to search for anyone, I immediately knew who the right person was for this program,” continued Garcia. “I wanted Mr. Mata because I loved how decent, hard-working, and how responsible he was in how he handled everything, he was the epitome of professionalism and dedication,” Garcia said.
Oscar “Pity” Valenzuela, a local amateur boxing star with over 120-amatuer fights and four-time El Paso Golden Gloves champion and former professional boxer, met Mr. Mata in 1997 at the TNT Kennedy’s Boxing Gym. “Mr. Mata was a very dedicated man, he was not there to waste your time and he definitely didn’t want you wasting his time…he was very focused!” and with a slight grin, Valenzuela adds, “And he was very strict! If I was working on the heavy-bag, and somebody came by and talked to me during my training, he would make me re-do the round,” said Valesnzuela. “My respect and admiration for Mrs. Mata goes without saying. She’s very genuine, very sincere, and she is a beautiful and good hearted lady. She has always been so kind to my brothers Caesar, Rafael, and me.” Valenzuela said.
