Robledo was scheduled to face world bantamweight champion Panama Al Brown in late 1932 but during a tune up fight he was left blind in both eyes.
He is the third child of seven from Felipe and Soledad Robledo who immigrated from Cienega De Escobar, Durango Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.
He was an honor student and a superb athlete winning various awards in soccer & track, at age 13 he won the city championship in tennis.
Robledo began his training at the Pasadena Arena which was owned and operated by his promoter Morrie Cohan.
After several months of rigorous training his first bout would take place at the Los Angeles Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament in 1927.