Martinez, whose father was a professional boxer in Mexico, has been around boxing all of his life. Although Martinez has never seen his father fight, he says that his father has been a huge influence. "We watched a lot of boxing on TV and would hit the punching bag that was in their backyard here and there," said Martinez. Martinez really got into boxing in 1998 when his father started to personally train him. After about six months, he started to take the sport more seriously and soon joined a boxing gym.

Q1: What's a typical workout for you like?

RAUL MARTINEZ: I usually get up around 6 or 7 a.m. and go run three to four miles. Then at 5 p.m. I go to the gym and train for two to three more hours. I'll bench, do curls, squats, swim and do some sprints.

Q2: Do you follow a strict diet?

RAUL MARTINEZ: When I'm not fighting, I'll eat anything. My favorite food is ice cream. If there's ice cream in the freezer, I'm eating it. When I' training for an upcoming fight I eat lots of carbs and protein. I make sure I have a good breakfast like scrambled eggs, and also a lunch that will give me energy. I also eat a lot of pasta and I don't eat after 6 p.m.

Q3: How do you psych yourself up for a match?

RAUL MARTINEZ: I psych myself up by thinking, "I'm the man to beat. I'm on top and I got here for a reason. Everyone if after me and I need to fight how I know how to fight." I also think about my family and how I want to win to make them proud.

Q4: Do you remember your first knockout?

RAUL MARTINEZ: My first real knockout, when the guy didn't get up, happened in 2000 at the Golden Gloves. It was the third round and I threw him an overhead right hook, which at first stunned him. I then threw a hard left hook to his chin, which connected, and he went down. He was shaking a little bit and I knew that he was out. The doctors had to come into the ring to hold him down. I was excited but I hoped that I hadn't really hurt him. That was my first real knockout.

Q5: How does it feel to know that you are a National Champion?

RAUL MARTINEZ: I am really proud of myself. When I was younger I always watched and followed boxing. I thought, "Hopefully, one day I'll be there." It's really a dream come true. Knowing that I am the National Champion makes me work harder too though. I do need to keep my title.

Q6: What would you do if you won the lottery?

RAUL MARTINEZ: Oh man, that's easy. I would make the biggest boxing gym in all of San Antonio--that's my dream. I would also help my community in many ways. I wouldn't stop boxing. I love the sport too much.

Q7: Do you trash talk to your opponent?

RAUL MARTINEZ: I'm really not much of a trash talker. I let my hands do the talking. The most I will do is give him a stare down before we start fighting.

Q8: Do you have any superstitions that you follow?

RAUL MARTINEZ: My Mom gave me Holy Water that I take everywhere with me. I have to have my Holy Water.

Q9: How do you unwind after a fight?

RAUL MARTINEZ: I go eat. I find out where the ice cream is at and that's where I go.

Q10: What are your chances of making it to Athens and how are you preparing?

RAUL MARTINEZ: I think my chances of competing in Athens are great. I'm training now and the closer it gets to the trails, the harder I'll be training. I will not lose. I have always dreamed of making it to the Olympics and this is my chance. I follow the three D's of boxing every day: dedication, determination and discipline.