My Dad, the late great Herbert Rio Rosa was born September 28th, 1947 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Domingo Rosa and Julia Rios both of Puerto Rican descent. Growing up with a very big family of over 8 brothers and sisters. At the age of 3 he and his family moved to San Francisco, California, where he grew up and learned his way of life. Very early on, Rio began training and participating in sports. In 1958 Rio’s oldest brother bought him a 135lb barbell set and a set of boxing gloves. He excelled in Boxing, Football, baseball, and Track and Field training alongside his brothers and the neighborhood kids, earning a name for himself as one of the strongest and one of the most complete athletes around. Growing up Rio would spar kids from around the neighborhood. In Junior High School one of the school wrestling coaches challenged Rio to a wrestling match where Rio subsequently flipped him on his head and was kicked out thereafter. Rio went on to attend Woodrow Wilson High School were he competed in Football, baseball and track and field ranking amongst the best in all 3. Playing both Running Back and Linebacker in football, shortstop and center field in baseball, and running the 100m, 4x100m (starter/ anchor), 100 yard sprint (under 10 seconds). Some of Rio’s feats included snatching a 135lb barbell overhead with 1 arm (at the age of 11), shutting down OJ Simpson in a football matchup, running a 100m race against the future worlds fastest man, Jim Hines, to a photo finish, along with many other feats.

After graduating high school in 1965 Rio tried to enlist in the military but was turned away due to having a wife and child. So he continued training in boxing and them decided to join the Job Corps. During his time in the job corps he met George Foreman (also attending the job corps) where he watched him box.

Around 1969 Rio decided to turn pro in professional boxing despite not competing in the amateur ranks, working and raising a family full time. Rio always took command of his fights but received the short end of the stick a couple of times due to judges and refs.

Throughout the 1970s Rio worked in different spheres trying to find his path before finally finding his calling to teach the art of boxing in 1979. He started training fighters at the San Francisco PAL boxing club working with aspiring boxers of all ages especially the youth. He would later continue teaching throughout the 1980s at Newman’s Gym in San Francisco, California and the 1990s at Kings Boxing Gym in Oakland, California.

Amongst the fighters Rio trained throughout his illustrious training career are: Eric “The Prince” Martin- ESPN Champ, Wilfred Benitez- World Champ, Carlos Deleon- World Champ, James Page- World Champ, Gina “Boom Boom” Guidi- World Champ, Nonito Donaire- World Champ, Miguel Aresol- #1 Contender, “Irish” Pat Lawler- Contender, Bomani Parker- Contender, Angel Rodríguez- Contender, Henry Martinez- Contender, Butch Gomez- Professional, Danny Chavez- Professional, James Lester- Professional, Paris Alexander- Professional, Simon Redmond- Golden Gloves Champ, Jose Lopez- Golden Gloves Champ, Joey Durant- Golden Gloves Champ, Tracey Barnes- Amateur, Todd Spencer- Amateur, Roger Hamilton- Martial Artist,

Rio was a die hard 49er fan having accompanied the 49ers since his youth he would regularly attended 49er games, including the game where Dwight Clark made “The Catch.” Stating Joe Montana and Jerry Rice amongst his favorite players.

Along with being a devout 49er fan Rio was also a devout San Francisco Giants fan always watching and listening to the games.

Around 1999 Rio would meet his wife Annouchka Garchkov at Kings boxing gym in Oakland, California. They would go on to have two children together Rio Krsna Rosa, born in 2002, and Saraswatei Sita Rosa, born in 2005, along with also raising 3 step children as his own Shastia, Sivananda and Ananda. Teaching everyone the art of boxing and the art of living. His two step sons took a special liking to the sport of boxing. Rio would spend time as often as he could taking all his children to the park and or walks daily as well as taking his children to school, fixing meals and being the most complete father any child could ever be given, loving and genuinely doing all from the bottom of his heart.

Rio was known for his distinct haircut a shaved head along with the "twig" in the back of his head also know as the "rat tail". Rio was amongst the first to sport the haircut .

Rio enjoyed listening to ol school mo town songs. Groups like the Temptations, James Brown, Jackson 5, Carlos Santana were some of his favorites.

Rio often showed off with his magic tricks and riddles, and chess mastery. He was also an ace at the pool table. A true poet by nature, along with being a very skilled artist as he loved drawing and writing. He would go on to write a book about the art of boxing detailing every part of boxing and what it takes to be a world champion. The book it currently  being compiled.

Rio was very loyal to his puerto rican roots

Towards the end of 2011 Rio was diagnosed with parkinsons disease. A tremendous athlete his entire life, he would see the disease have a very bad effect on his health in the course of two years his health would quickly take a turn and he would quickly lose a lot of his abilities to walk and control hand movements.

Even with Parkinsons Rio was determined and a hard worker. He worked the best he could. He always did his best to do whatever he could to take care of his family. He continued to work going out to hustle daily in the hot california sun where he worked two jobs and would return at night with his earnings for the day and get food for his children and family.

During the pandemic the disease had advanced tremendously and Rio was no longer able to work although his kids were now all fully grown.

On the evening of june 1st 2026 Herbert Rio Rosa was found unresponsive in his bed. He passed away at the age of 78. Rios slogan was 39 forever. He completed 39 years exactly twice before passing. Rio left a tremendous mark on his family and everyone that came across him during his time on earth. He showed selflessness always putting himself last and the ones he loved first, although stricken with diseases he never gave up always working until he no longer could. He was dedicated to his family and would do anything on their behalf. He continues to live on through his children and the memories he left with everyone as well as his teaching not only about the sport of boxing but about life and in Spirit. His name will always be remembered in the history books of bay area sports and boxing. And the impact he had on everyone. He fought until his last breath and taught us that life is like a boxing match. To never give up and fight to the very end. He will forever be loved. Love You Champ Always and Forever.