SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - At 17 years old, Chicopee High School alumni Adrian Valdez is the youngest professional boxer in the history of Massachusetts.

Valdez said it all started when he met now close friend and mentor Raul Cardona training outside a nearby park.

"He's like a family member to me," said Valdez. "So one time I was walking to the park and his daughter used to box before me. He was doing mixing with his daughter and then I got inspired by that and I asked him if he can bring me to the gym and stuff like that because at the time my parents had no car or none of that."

As the youngest professional boxer ever in Massachusetts, Valdez is currently 2-0 in professional fights with two knockouts in the first round, with his most recent taking place in November at the DCU Center in Worcester.

It's a surreal feeling for the young man.

"It feels good," Valdez said. "The adrenaline going through your body every time you get in that ring. It's different, it feels different. No matter how many times you do it doesn't get old."

Coaching Valdez from the sidelines at the Rivera Boxing Club in Springfield Wednesday night was Ortiz. They've been working together for nearly a decade.

This week, the goal to improve Valdez's balance and leverage in his knees and lower body.

"Honestly he's got a lot of skills, but I have kids with a lot of skills too, but it's just the dedication," said Ortiz. "He goes non-stop. He goes to the gym, and what about him so special too though is, I tell Adrian, "You gotta fight? You wanna spar with somebody?' He doesn't ask who or where he's fighting. He just goes with the flow. A lot of fighters don't do that."

Taking time to spar with several boxers one after another, Valdez will tell you he doesn't like getting hit either, but he'll gladly take a few as long as he can strike back even harder.

His goal is to punch his way to the top and make a name for himself in history.

"Creating my own legacy," Valdez said, "my own path and leave something behind so people can remember me."

Coach Ortiz said Valdez's next fight will be in Nashville, Tennessee on January 21.