New Mexico Boxing

Montoya takes on Cantera in headliner
All-local Fresquez card set for Saturday night at the Fairgrounds

Albuquerque powerhouse Lee Montoya (9-1, 7 KOs) continues his climb back to the top of the local welterweight heap when he steps into the ring against Mexican-born Orlando Cantera (8-3-2, 5 KOs) of San Antonio Saturday night on the Fresquez card held at the Fairgrounds’ Ford Pavilion Expo.

Following his devastating loss to Freddy Hernandez last summer at Isleta, Montoya took the remainder of 2005 off, then re-launched his career in February, knocking out Jeremiah Torres for the second time.

Against Cantera, however, Montoya knows he’s going to have to work for his win.

“I know I’m in for a tough fight,” says Montoya. “I know he gave Vicente [Garcia] a tough time, too. But I’m prepared, mentally and physically--I’m not underestimating my opponent in any way.”

Cantera made an appearance in Albuquerque last December, and was able to manhandle Vicente Garcia for several rounds before the local kid turned things around for a unanimous decision win.

“I’m hoping for a knockout, but if it comes, it comes,” says Montoya. “If not, then I’ll beat him in the distance.”

Montoya is now training at L.A. Boxing in Albuquerque, under Dave Baca. His four-hour, non-sparring, morning routine has him doing roadwork with Baca, then heading into the gym for a workout on the bags and mitts.

“I do everything but spar,” says Montoya, who believes putting in rounds of sparring is counterproductive. Montoya says he’s trying to avoid receiving another injury like the one that had him losing last summer to Freddy Hernandez.

Last July in a WBA Fedlatin Welter defense televised on Telefutura, Montoya lost his first pro fight--by fourth round TKO--to the 17-1 Mexican. It was later revealed that Montoya had entered the fight with a unhealed rib injury sustained in sparring.

“I still want him,” says Montoya. “The fight left a sour taste in my mouth and I’d love to have that rematch.

“I believe in my heart that I can beat him. I lost that night--no excuses--but let’s do it again.”

Montoya also would like a chance to take on cross-town rival Ray Sanchez III.

“Rumors have been circulating for years now, that we’re going to fight, or should fight,” says Montoya. “All New Mexico wants to see that fight happen.

“I want to see that happen. I can’t speak for him, but I I’d like to fight Ray Sanchez. I know he’s always said he won’t fight anyone from New Mexico unless there’s a title at stake. Well, if that’s the only way, let’s get to that point. If that’s what it takes, I’m willing.”

Montoya has said it before and would like to repeat that there is no personal grudge with Sanchez.

“There’s no hard feelings. I have nothing bad to say about Ray. But this is a business. He’s a competitive athlete, just like I am.”

Unlike Sanchez, who has the luxury of time at 23, Montoya, 36, feels the pressure to fight on the fast track.

“I know boxing won’t be around much longer for me,” he says. “I got maybe four or five years left, if even that. So I got to fight the best people I can, while I can. Luckily, I have good people with me who can help pave the way.”

After a stop-and-start career, plagued by personal problems, Montoya says that, presently, he’s feeling better than ever.

“I’m more focused and together now than at any time in the past 15 years,” says Montoya. “And it’s only getting better.”

Montoya and Cantera will go eight rounds at welterweight. If he wins, he expects to be back in action on a summer card.

The rest of Saturday night’s card has the promise of solid action.

In the eight-round co-main, Bloomfield welterweight Joe Gomez (7-1, 3 KOs) takes on Victor Rodriguez (6-5, 5 KOs) of San Antonio, Tex. Gomez showed power in his last bout, stopping Santa Fe’s Rubel Tafoya in three.

A special six-round co-main has former lightweight local Jacob “Razor Sharp” Romero (10-2-1, 5 KOs) staging his second comeback, the first of which, three years ago was disrupted by Shawn Gallegos, in a state title fight. Gallegos sent Romero back into retirement.

On this return, Romero will go six with always-aggressive Dale McCartey (2-3), and, if successful, will move up to co-main status on the June 10 Holly Holm vs. Lisa Holeweyne card to take on “Hurricane” Hector Munoz (14-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder at 140 pounds.

“Jacob has always been a slow starter but we’ve been working on starting early,” says Dave Baca, who is training Romero at L.A. Boxing.

“He’s also been training to shed his counterpunching reputation, so look for a new and improved Romero on Saturday.”

On the undercard, Willie Villanueva (1-0) is expected to blow through Gabe Gonzales (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round junior welterweight bout. Villanueva showed his stuff in the toughest pro debut seen in years when he took on former star Mexican amateur Cesar Holguin-Gutierrez earlier this year.

Albuquerque’s Joe Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) looks for his third pro win in a four-rounder against David Marquez (2-1) of Fort Morgan, Colo.

Female strawweight Jodi Esquibel (2-0) will go four with an opponent-to-be-named.

First bell is at 7 PM, with the doors opening at 6 PM.

The weigh-in, open to the public, is at 2 PM Friday at the Jockey Club @ The Downs.

Tickets priced from $20 are available at Ticketmaster.com, Fresquez Productions (505-884-7484) or Chavez Karate (505-877-6261).

# # #