Ray of hope
Not discouraged with loss to Chavez, Jr., Sanchez III returns to ring Friday night

Story & photos by Chris Cozzone

Five months after suffering defeat in the biggest fight of his career, Albuquerque’s Ray Sanchez III says he’s not only ready to resume his career, but he’s not, in the least, discouraged with his kayo loss.

“Losing did not damage my career,” Sanchez said Monday night at his South Valley gym before a workout. “I think I showed what I’m made of.”

In December, Sanchez, 20-2, 15 KOs, was stopped in round six by Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., now 36-0-1, having picked up two more significant wins. On two cards, including this reporter’s unofficial one, Sanchez was ahead on points before he was downed for the count.

“I definitely feel I was winning the fight,” says Sanchez. “I was controlling the tempo, but I made the mistake of trying too hard for a knockout. I wore myself out, lost my composure and exhausted my energy.

“But I think I showed what kind of fighter I am. I definitely feel when I walked out of the arena, that I’d earned respect. Top Rank, my promoter, was happy with the outcome, and happy with my performance.”

On Friday night, promoter Top Rank has scheduled Sanchez to stage his ring return on a Telefutura-televised card from Isleta Casino. In one of two ten-round co-headliners, Sanchez will take on Patrick Thompson, 13-12-1, 5 KOs, of Lincoln, Neb.

In the other co-headliner, undefeated jr. welterweight Mike Alvarado, 20-0, 13 KOs, of Denver, will take on Mexican Michel Rosales, 16-1, 14 KOs. Six more bouts—one sixer and five four-rounders—are part of an undercard that includes Las Cruces’ Sammy DiPace IV (2-0, 2 KOs) and Albuquerque’s Scott Furney (2-3-1, 1 KO).

Sanchez’s opponent, Thompson, might not have the best record, but he’s a big step-up from the caliber of fighters Sanchez fought on his way up. Thompson has only been stopped once in his career—against Alfonso Gomez—and that was due to a broken nose. Almost all of his losses are to quality, name fighters; the list includes Vanes Matirosyan, Ishe Smith, John Duddy and Sechew Powell.

“Thompson’s fought everyone,” says Sanchez. “He may be just over the .500 mark, but his record is deceiving. The way I see it, it’s a very tough challenge, for he’s coming to fight.

“This is a very important fight. It’s to see how I’ve bounced back from the loss to Chavez.”

Originally, Sanchez was scheduled to fight Michi Munoz, who might have a cleaner record than Thompson, at 20-2, 13 KOs, but it was built on soft opposition.

“The change in opponents didn’t effect training at all,” says Sanchez. “Whatever style my opponent brings into the ring doesn’t matter—I adapt to anyone I’m facing.”

Key preparation for this fight was done in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Top Rank Gym under Jesse Reid, where Sanchez spent two weeks sparring the likes of Daniel Judah and Chris Eubank, Jr.

“My biggest downfall as a pro has been getting quality sparring here in New Mexico,” says Sanchez. “It might’ve been my downfall in the Chavez fight.

“Going to Vegas is great—I work at my best there.”

Sanchez hopes a win Friday night will put him on the path to a rematch with Chavez.

“Chavez told me after that fight that he’d give me a rematch in the near future,” says Sanchez. “I’d like to take him up on it, even if it means doing it in Mexico.

“But my first objective is Patrick Thompson, who’s not going to be an easy fight. After I get the victory, then we’ll see.”

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