BEN ORDONEZ: FROM HOSPITAL BED TO THE BOXING RING
The story of a 51-year-old stroke survivor who refused to give up
By Coach Al Franco | Founder, Warzone Boxing Club — Established 1997
THE DAY BEN WALKED INTO MY GYM
One day, while I was at our former Warzone Boxing Club location in Rancho Cucamonga, an older gentleman walked through the doors.
He walked with a noticeable limp, and it was obvious he was struggling physically.
People walk into boxing gyms all the time. Some want to sign up for training, while others just want to look around, ask questions, or talk boxing.
"Hey Coach, what do you think about this fighter?" or "Who do you think is going to win the fight this weekend?"
It's part of being around the sport, and I've always enjoyed those conversations when time permits.
This gentleman introduced himself as Ben Ordonez.
I introduced myself as Coach Al Franco, and we started talking.
We talked boxing, fighters, and life in general. It was a good conversation. But after a while, Ben asked me something I wasn't expecting.
"Coach, do you think you could train me?"
I looked at him and wasn't quite sure how to answer.
A STROKE SURVIVOR LOOKING FOR A SECOND CHANCE
Ben explained that he had recently survived a stroke.
He had lost partial mobility on the right side of his body and was wearing an eye patch. His ability to walk and move around had been severely affected.
He told me that through the grace of God, and with the help of his wife, who had worked with him to regain some mobility, he had made enough progress to get around on his own.
I listened to him and thought to myself:
This guy is serious. I know I'm a pretty good boxing coach, but I don't know if I'm THAT good.
I wanted to see what he could physically do.
"Ben, let's get you in the ring. I want to see how you move."
He held his arm close to his waist, slowly climbed the ring steps, and made his way between the ropes.
I wasn't even sure he would be able to get into the ring.
Once inside, he began moving around at a very slow pace.
I watched him carefully.
I didn't laugh, and I certainly didn't want to discourage him, but I remember thinking:
There's just no way.
After watching him for a little while, I told him he could come out of the ring.
But Ben wasn't finished talking.
"IS THIS HOW IN GOING TO DIE?"
Ben began telling me about his time in the hospital.
He explained that while lying in his hospital bed, he had only a few dollars in his pocket and a cell phone that was almost dead.
He started thinking about his life, everything he had worked for, and everything he still wanted to do.
He remembered asking himself:
"All I've worked for...
is this how I'm going to die?"
That statement stayed with me.
Ben told me he was 51 years old, had struggled with his weight throughout his life, and had always loved boxing.
He had always wanted to learn the sport but had never taken the opportunity.
Now, after surviving a stroke, he wanted to do something he had dreamed about for years.
And once again, he asked:
"Coach, please train me."
I told him I needed some time.
"Ben, give me a few days to think about it. I need to do some research and learn more about what you're dealing with. If I honestly believe I can help you, I'll let you know. But if I don't think I can, I'm not going to take your money."
I wasn't interested in making promises I couldn't keep.
We exchanged phone numbers, shook hands, and said goodbye.
A PHONE CALL I DIDN'T EXPECT
Two days later, Ben called me.
"Coach, have you thought about it?"
I told him I needed a little more time.
To be completely honest, I hadn't done much research at that point. I really didn't think I was going to hear from him again.
But his phone call told me something.
Ben wasn't looking for an excuse. He was looking for an opportunity.
So I started doing my homework.
I researched stroke recovery, physical limitations, mobility challenges, and what I might realistically be able to accomplish through modified boxing and conditioning exercises.
I called Ben and asked more questions about his stroke, his limitations, and what movements he could and couldn't perform.
He explained that he had also experienced back problems for years.
Running was out of the question, and he wasn't sure whether he would ever be able to jump rope.
I knew this wasn't going to be a typical boxing training program.
We would have to work around his limitations and pay attention to what his body could safely handle.
THE TRAINING COMMITMENT
About a week later, I called Ben.
"Ben, I've been thinking about this. I believe that if we can train twice a day, four or five days a week, we might be able to make some progress."
He didn't hesitate.
"Let's do it, Coach!"
I explained what the training schedule would involve and what it would cost.
This wasn't going to be inexpensive. We were discussing multiple individual training sessions nearly every day of the week.
I wanted him to understand the commitment before we started.
Ben told me the cost didn't matter to him.
He wanted to do it.
He thanked me several times just for being willing to work with him.
And that's how our journey began.
MORNING BOXING, EVENING CONDITIONING
We developed a structured training schedule.
Monday through Friday mornings were dedicated to boxing fundamentals.
We worked on the movements he could perform, gradually developing his stance, balance, coordination, footwork, and punching technique.
Monday through Thursday evenings focused on strength, flexibility, and agility.
I had to approach his training differently from the way I trained my amateur and professional fighters.
There were limitations to consider, movements to modify, and progressions that couldn't be rushed.
But Ben kept showing up.
Day after day. Session after session.
He put in the work.
I could teach him boxing techniques, structure his workouts, and make corrections.
But I couldn't give him determination.
That had to come from Ben.
And he had plenty of it.
FROM 247 POUNDS TO 175 POUNDS
When Ben was in the hospital, he weighed approximately 247 pounds. That is a lot of weight to carry especially on his 5,6" frame.
Within a year of beginning our training journey, he was down to approximately 175 pounds.
That's a loss of 72 pounds.
But the number on the scale wasn't the most impressive part.
When I first met Ben, he walked with a severe limp, held one arm close to his waist, and struggled just to move around a boxing ring.
Over time, I watched his strength, coordination, movement, and boxing skills improve.
Eventually, he progressed from working with one arm to using both arms and participating in controlled boxing drills.
And then came something I never would have imagined when he first walked through our doors.
Ben wanted to spar.
FROM A STROKE SURVIVOR TO A SPARRING PARTNER
Ben's doctor had advised against sparring, so I had serious concerns about the risks involved.
But Ben wanted to experience what it was like to box with another person.
We began with very light, controlled partner work, with his partners instructed not to target his head.
The focus was on technique, movement, and applying what he had learned.
As time passed, Ben continued developing his boxing skills and became increasingly confident.
Eventually, his training partners had to respond more actively because Ben was no longer moving like the man I had first met.
He had become stronger, more coordinated, and far more capable in the ring.
The same man I once doubted could even climb into a boxing ring was now moving around and working with other boxers. 10 three minute rounds became a part of his training once per week. Amazing is an understatement.
I remember looking at him and thinking about how far he had come.
What a transformation.
Looking back, I recognize that contact sparring after a stroke carries significant risks and should not be taken as a recommended part of stroke recovery. Ben's experience was individual and should never replace medical advice.
"COACH, I DON'T LIKE HOW I LOOK."
After losing so much weight, Ben came to me with another concern.
He didn't like the way he looked at 175 pounds. He felt too skinny even though he had developed a muscular frame.
He wanted to build more muscle.
So we adjusted his training goals again.
Over time, Ben added approximately 10 pounds as he worked on developing more muscle and strength, bringing his weight to around 185 pounds.
The man who had once struggled to walk was now focused on improving his physique and continuing to develop his boxing skills.
It was remarkable to see.
ONE OF MY MOST MEANINGFUL COACHING EXPERIENCES
When I last shared Ben's progress, he was still training, still enjoying boxing, and living a much more active life. his business takes him across the country so he now hits gyms wherever he finds them.
We were no longer working together through the same intensive personal training schedule, but I was grateful to have played a part in his journey.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of coaching national champions, international champions, professional titleholders, and talented young fighters.
Those accomplishments will always mean a great deal to me.
But Ben's journey holds a special place in my memories.
He didn't walk into my gym looking for a championship belt.
He walked in looking for someone willing to give him a chance.
At first, I wasn't sure I could help him.
What I learned from Ben was that determination can take a person much further than anyone might initially expect.
"I provided the coaching. Ben provided the
heart, commitment, and determination."
And I will always be grateful that he walked through the doors of Warzone Boxing Club that day.
Coach Al Franco
Founder, Warzone Boxing Club
Established 1997
This article documents one individual's historical experience. Boxing and conditioning are not substitutes for medical rehabilitation, and outcomes vary. Stroke survivors should consult their medical team before beginning an exercise program. Contact sparring carries particular risks after a stroke and is not recommended without appropriate medical assessment and clearance.
WHY BEN'S STORY STILL MEANS SO MUCH TO ME
I've spent nearly 30 years in boxing. I've trained national champions, international champions, and professional titleholders. I've watched fighters accomplish things that most people only dream about.
But Ben Ordonez gave me something different.
When he first walked into my gym, I wasn't sure I could help him. I remember watching him struggle to move around the ring, thinking that what he was asking might be beyond my abilities.
Then he told me about lying in that hospital bed, wondering whether that was how his life was going to end.
I never forgot those words.
Thirteen years later, seeing Ben at 64 years old, still putting on boxing gloves and enjoying the sport he loves, means more to me than I can adequately explain.
I didn't give Ben his determination. That was already inside him.
All I did was give him the opportunity to discover how far he could go.
And looking back, I'm grateful that I said yes.
— Coach Al Franco
Ben Ordonez today at age 64.