Holly headlines an all-local card at Isleta
Fresquez beefs up card with all-NM show on Feb. 24

Text & photos by Chris Cozzone

Six bouts. All matched up—three weeks out. And all-local.

Fresquez Productions’ next show is as solid a card the local scene has seen in some time. On February 24, New Mexico’s No. 1 draw, Holly Holm, will headline “Fists of Fury,” the next Isleta-hosted show that also features the return of powerhouse Lee Montoya, the Albuquerque debut of Bloomfield’s Joe Gomez, the continued comeback of David Martinez and a handful of pro debuters desperately needed in the Duke City.

In the main event, Holly Holm (12-1-2, 4 KOs), coming off two big wins over name fighters, will defend her IBA Women’s junior welter belt against Pittsburgh’s Shadina Pennybaker (9-4-1, 2 KOs).

There are a host of reasons why Pennybaker is a long shot to upset the hometown champ—she’s 5’5” to Holm’s 5’8”, ten years older than Holm, she’ll be fighting on someone else’s turf, and she’s only fought twice in two years—but there are almost an equal number of warning signs that could turn this into a war.

With the exception of Christy Martin, Holm’s opposition has not been comparable to Pennybaker’s. The No. 1 IFBA contender has faced everyone from WBC Jr. Welter champ Mary Jo Sanders to female superstar Laila Ali; has made a career of fighting on the road; and has fought up to 161 pounds. 

Says Holm’s promoter, Lenny Fresquez: “This is Holly’s toughest fight to date.”

Needless to say, he does not consider this a tune-up.

“Tune-up? I don’t think so,” says Holm, who was impressed in the tape she viewed of Pennybaker.

“She’s going to be a tough opponent and I expect a tough fight. She hits hard, knows how to box and has no fear getting into the ring.

“But I’ll box and move, try and pick my spots for pressure. I don’t plan to brawl with her.”

Pennybaker, however, has no plans to brawl, either.

“I’m no brawler,” says the challenger. “I’m a boxer—a slick boxer.

“I know what I have to do. I know she moves a lot, but I don’t plan on chasing her all over the ring. I plan to box. To cut off the ring and pin her in the corners. She’ll find out I’m no pushover.”

Pennybaker’s trainer, Willie Edwards, also gives Holm fair warning:

“Holly is beautiful, Holly is a great champion—I understand all that . . . But Penny is coming to fight. She’ll come with her hard hat on and her work boots—and she’ll be ready.”

“I’ll also have my safety goggles on, too,” says Pennybaker, who has yet to see Holm fight, or track down a tape of her. “My defense is good, as she’ll find out. I plan to take that belt home with me.”

Two eight-round co-features will precede the Holm-Pennybaker bout.

In the first, Albuquerque’s David “Finito” Martinez (14-1-1, 3 KOs) will continue his comeback following last summer’s loss to Tomas Villa, by taking on a seasoned veteran that could give him his hardest fight yet.

Former title challenger Julio Coronell (21-23-1, 16 KOs) of Columbia has faced everybody from 106 to 126: from former champs like Michael Carbajal, Tim Austin and Veeraphol Sahaprom, to top fighters like Adan Vargas and Steve Moliter (both of whom were fought here in Albuquerque). Sure, he’s lost to all the big name guys—but he’s given them all tough fights.

Despite his seven-bout losing streak, Martinez is in for a rough ride in his eight-round bout with Coronell.

“I’ll be ready for him,” Martinez says. “I plan on starting off this year undefeated and I was right back in the gym after my last fight. This is going to be a busy year for me.”

In the second eight-round co-feature, Albuquerque powerhouse Lee Montoya (8-1, 6 KOs) will make his return to the ring following his devastating loss to Freddy Hernandez last summer. Montoya will fight a rematch with Belen’s Jeremiah “Jet” Torres (7-9, 3 KOs), who gave Montoya a run for his money in 2004—before getting knocked out in the last round.

“He gave me some problems in that fight,” admits Montoya, “before I caught him. But why would he want to fight me again after getting knocked out? I have no idea what’s on his mind.”

What’s on Jeremiah Torres’ mind, however, is less Lee Montoya and more Vicente Garcia, who gave him an equally-devastating knockout last year. In both instances, Torres had to ask his corner what had happened.

At Monday’s press conference, almost downplaying the threat Montoya’s fists hold for him, Torres could only say, “I thought I’d get to fight Vincent . . . I’ll do whatever it takes to get that rematch.”

Garcia, however, has no plans to grant Torres a rematch (having KO’d him twice, once in their bout and once while sparring). “I don’t think so,” he told Torres at the conference.

Three undercards bout round off the ‘Fists of Fury’ card:

In a six-rounder, Bloomfield hopeful and former WBC Intercontinental Mundo Hispano Welterweight Joe Gomez (6-1, 2 KOs) will make his Duke City debut. The 20-year-old fighter who overcame a broken jaw and two early knockdowns to edge Vicente Garcia last year at Sky Ute Casino plans on being a major player for the local scene here.

“I’ve been locked up there at Sky Ute and it’s great to come down here to fight where there are more opportunities and exposure,” Gomez says.

Gomez has inked a three year deal, four-bouts-a-year contract with Fresquez.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep on progressing—but not forget where I come from.”

Gomez may be the best talent from the Four Corners area since Bruce Sewell, who ended his career abruptly in a car crash, and 30s-40s legend Abie Chavez, who was what was termed a “top-notcher” in his era.

Gomez will take on Santa Fe’s Rubel Tafoya (2-1), who is getting into the ring for the first time since 2000.

In a four-rounder, Albuquerque supermiddleweight Donnell “Donamite” Wade (2-1-1) will end a two-year layoff for a return bout against crosstown debuter Clint Rhodes; and, in the curtain-raiser, Albuquerque jr. lightweight and top amateur Willie Villanueva will make his debut against Ceasar Gutierrez Holguin of Mexico, by way of Santa Fe.

Tickets for “Fists of Fury” priced from $25 to $200 are available at the Isleta Player’s Club Box Office at 505.244.8191 or 244.8192, Tickets.com, or at Fresquez Productions at 505.884.7484.

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