Angelo Peña is a commuter — in the ring and in life. In the ring, because he’s always been a technically refined, well-balanced, and versatile boxer. In life, because he constantly moves between Olten and Las Vegas, Switzerland and the United States, the small and the grand stages of the boxing world. “America is my path now,” says the 31-year-old fighter — born in Spain, raised in the Dominican Republic, shaped in Ostermundigen near Bern, and now living in Olten. And, more recently, also at home in the boxing capital of Las Vegas.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that under Cuban coach Ismael Salas, Peña has found in the divided United States exactly what he needed most — balance. A balance between discipline and freedom, competition and solitude. When he’s in Switzerland, Peña moves between his mother’s home in Ostermundigen and the apartment he shares with his fiancée in Olten. He visits his stepfather, his siblings, friends here, friends there — and, of course, he trains.

In the gym in Las Vegas, however, there’s only one focus: boxing. Peña trains alongside professionals, many from Latin America — fighters whose names he already knew as a kid when his uncle taught him the sport in playful street sessions back home. “It was all about technique and speed,” Peña recalls. He also learned early on what it means to fight without compromise.

The “street school” of the Caribbean was the best training ground for Angelo Peña — something his current coach confirms. “In the gym in Las Vegas, we actually speak more Spanish than English,” Peña says. “There’s a relaxed Latino vibe — and then there’s Ismael Salas, who brings in the traditional Cuban boxing discipline.”

It’s been about 20 years since Peña first arrived in Ostermundigen — in winter. Soon after, he saw snow for the first time. “Twenty degrees Celsius was probably the coldest I’d ever known before,” he laughs. He also remembers how he brought his passion for boxing with him to Switzerland. First, he competed in kickboxing, then as an amateur boxer. “I never lost when I was young,” Peña says confidently.

It was during those amateur days that Leander Strupler, now his manager, first noticed him. The Bernese promoter regularly attended local tournaments and Swiss championships — and Peña’s style immediately stood out. “He was smoother, faster than most,” Strupler recalls. Alain Chervet, Peña’s longtime coach, saw the same thing early on: “It’s impressive how much punch he generates despite his low weight.”

Speed and explosiveness remain Peña’s trademarks. But now, he knows how to use them with purpose. So much so that today he’s ranked in the Top 10 of the WBO in the super featherweight division — meaning he’s within reach of a world title shot. “We’re waiting for movement in the rankings,” says Strupler. The offer has to come from the titleholder — and that would likely mean a fight abroad, in the USA or Saudi Arabia, with global TV rights and big-stage production.

Each of the four major boxing organizations — WBO, WBC, IBF, and WBA — maintains its own rankings, making the system complex. “Rankings always leave room for interpretation,” Strupler explains. With limited data — like the total number of fights — it’s difficult to determine who truly is the best in any given weight class. What matters is not only howand against whom one fights, but also the story and potential behind it. That’s why world title fights, when they happen, carry so much prestige.

For Peña, Strupler sees a “springboard” toward a world title if he continues defending his WBO Intercontinental Title— especially against high-quality opponents. Eventually, that could lead to a shot at the reigning world champion, currently Emanuel Navarrete of Mexico. At this year’s WBO Convention in Bogotá, Peña took the chance to meet his dream opponent in person — confidently approaching him to make his ambitions clear. Negotiations with Navarrete’s camp, however, have not yet borne fruit. The response from U.S. promoter Top Rank was diplomatic: “Everyone wants to fight him right now.”

So it may still take time before the world title bout becomes reality. Until then, Peña will continue to defend his belt — next on December 26 in Bern’s Kursaal Arena, a familiar stage for the Swiss-Dominican boxer. It’s where he’s fought for the past four years — and, like in all 12 of his professional bouts so far, won every single one. “My big goal remains the world title fight,” Peña says patiently.