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Raider Nation Origin Stories: Boxer Arnold Barboza Jr. treasures family memories made in the silver and black

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Undefeated welterweight boxer Arnold Barboza Jr. has been a Raiders fan essentially since birth.

Barboza, a Long Beach, California, native, grew up roughly 20 miles away from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Although the Raiders had moved back to Oakland in Barboza's childhood, his father, Arnold Barboza Sr., helped mold him into a diehard fan. His father also grew up in Southern California, becoming a member of Raider Nation when the Silver and Black relocated to Los Angeles in 1982.

"I think everyone knows out here in L.A., it's all Raiders," said Barboza Jr. while attending a training camp practice in Costa Mesa, California. "Every game they play out here in L.A., it's a home game. L.A. is all Raiders."

His father was, at first, concerned that the Oakland Coliseum might be a bit too rowdy for the young boy and instead took him to road games. The first Raiders matchup he attended was at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego to see the Raiders take on their AFC West rivals, the Chargers.

"I don't exactly remember what day it was, but I remember LaDainian Tomlinson was their running back at the time. I hated that guy," Barboza said with a laugh. "We had Darren McFadden around that time too. I was at a young age, but from then on, we'd go to games all the time. It's been Raider Nation ever since."

A few of Barboza's favorite Raiders growing up were Charles Woodson, Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. He also loved watching Howie Long highlights, using the edge rusher's tenacity and physicality as inspiration within his sport of boxing. In this new era of the Las Vegas Raiders, Barboza mentioned he's most excited to see Christian Wilkins and Jack Jones take the field.

Every game he attends now is a full circle moment. He upholds the same tradition with his own children that he had with his father – attending as many Raiders games as possible.

"It's amazing to show them the Raider Nation way," Barboza said. "The fanbase is amazing. It's a loyal fanbase. I was very fortunate to be able to take them to Oakland to see them play and now they come down to L.A every year so that's even better.

"Vegas isn't far from us either and it's a beautiful stadium to go to. It's a blessing."

View photos of past matchups between the Raiders and Browns as the Silver and Black prepare for their Week 4 matchup at Allegiant Stadium.

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