A Day in the Life of a Fighter

, a boxer that trains at a gym in Crystal Lake, got up at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

He usually has a grapefruit for breakfast, but today he has a protein bar. He’s trying to lose a few pounds so he can fight in the 141-pound weight class of the Chicago Golden Gloves boxing tournament.

He arrives at a tool and die shop in Carol Stream and punches in at 5:56 a.m.

Scott DeCore is grooming his son for the top job at DeCore Tool & Mfg. Inc., to take over after he retires. This morning Bobby is operating a computer-driven cutting machine. He’s also sharpening drill bits, a tedious chore. Bobby said his job is both physically and mentally exhausting.  Scott DeCore said he wants his son to learn every aspect of the business.

But Scott DeCore also realizes his son has a passion. Bobby wants to be a fighter. He wants to win the Chicago Golden Gloves. Scott DeCore said he doesn’t want Bobby’s “glory days” to breeze past him. He wants his son to enjoy life and use what athletic abilities he has while he's still young.

Although business has picked up dramatically in the shop in recent weeks, Scott DeCore gives Bobby time to train.

Bobby’s mother, Carol DeCore, works the front desk at the family business. At first, she didn’t like the idea of her son boxing but she likes it now. Bobby can handle himself inside the ring and she enjoys going to the fights. She helps with Bobby’s training regimen, making him two soft-boiled eggs to eat during his mid-morning break. For lunch this day Bobby’s mother made him breaded tilapia, steamed broccoli and cauliflower. 

Bobby clocks out at 4:30 p.m., dropping by his home and picking up his boxing gear. He arrives at the School of Hard Knocks in Crystal Lake at 5:30 p.m.

“You would think I’d be tired after working all day,” said Bobby, wrapping his hands, getting ready to spar. “But this wakes me up.”

His warm-up includes jumping rope for 10 minutes and shadowboxing six rounds.

Bobby spars with two guys for a total of eight rounds on this day: 19-year-old Francisco Pacheco and 19-year-old Baldemar Sosa. Pacheco is a regular at the School of Hard Knocks. Sosa also works for Bobby’s father and is a member of the Top-Notch Boxing Cub in Bensenville.

After two hours at the gym, Bobby heads back to the shop. He needs to catch up on some work. 

"I'll probably get to bed around midnight," Bobby said.

Tony Prignits, Bobby’s trainer, wants to get Bobby one more bout before the Golden Gloves, which starts March 3. He’s trying to pair Bobby with “Irish” Jimmy Murphy, to whom he lost a close decision in October.

Prignits said he believes Bobby can beat Murphy now and it would be a confidence booster for Bobby before the spring tournament.

Gary Dobry, head coach of Pug’s and owner of the , advises Bobby to burn 500 calories more a day than he consumes, which will translate into a fat loss of a pound a week.

"Don't starve yourself," Dobry said. "You need energy to train.'