Sisto, 82, Albuquerque, NM

Sisto, 82, started boxing at the age of 17 and was a professional boxer in Los Angeles, Arizona, and El Paso. He decided to quit boxing because his mother worried for his safety and would cry every time he stepped into a ring.  After one fight where his opponent hit him in the eye, he decided to stop boxing altogether to honor his mother’s wishes and has not boxed ever since.  He loves to reminisce about his boxing days and everyone he met along the way.  Sisto taught his sons to box, but they didn’t pursue it as a sport.   He is now confined to a wheelchair, but still dreams of showing young students “what he’s still got.”  His wish was granted  jointly by the Ladera Care and Rehab Center and Twilight Wish Foundation in May 2010. Thanks to the  instructors and students in the boxing program run by the New Mexico Sheriff & Police Athletic League for letting Sisto join their class.