Holm, Escalante shine in '08
Year 2008 in Review: Youngsters on the rise, boxing action on the fall
Review & photos by Chris Cozzone
It’s ironic that a year that saw the biggest influx of local talent in decades—not forgetting the singular talents of historic greats Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero—would also see a drastic reduction in opportunities.
That was 2008.
With just nine fight cards statewide in 2008—down from 13 in 2007—it appears as if the sweet science is on one of those periodical declines. It’s not just New Mexico, either: El Paso had but one card all year—a dismal one at that—while Juarez had but two club shows. Some blame it on the economic situation, on George W., but the MMA (mixed martial arts, for those of you living under rocks) scene is thriving. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a weekend where there is not an MMA show going on, somewhere in the state.
New Mexico promoters weren’t the only one reducing the number of shows—the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colo., while rebuilding a new casino, had but one show in the summer.
Long-time promoter Fresquez Productions, dropped the number of local shows, from a consistent 6-8 per year, to just two. Top Rank—partnered with either Prime Time or Juan Romero—brought in three, while Romero was involved in four shows, ousting out Fresquez as the state’s de facto promoter—a first since Fresquez picked up the mantle in 1994.
But attendance said it all.
Holly Holm packed it in with two sold-out shows at Isleta (around 2,800 each) and Romero packed the tiny bingo hall at Sky City twice (around 800), but at other venues, the numbers dribbled in, adding to the many disappointments and miserable attempts seen in 2008.
But not everybody from, or in, New Mexico suffered in 2008 . . . .
Holm, Escalante this year’s ‘Fighters of the Year’
Two fighters stood far enough above the rest to warrant the honorary titles of NewMexicoBoxing.com’s “2008 Fighter of the Year.”
For the fourth year in a row, top New Mexico box-office bombshell Holly Holm earns the honors. This year, however, she shares it—as she did in 2006—with El Paso’s Antonio Escalante.
It’s not easy comparing stacking up the achievements of a fighter at the very top of one sport, with its gender counterpart. Those who know the fight game realize that there is a big difference being a so-called world champion in women’s boxing, and owning one of the many belts as a male. Females can get a world title shot with a handful of fights while guys have to fight for years just to fight a top ten contender.
Comparatively, then, both Holm and Escalante have had remarkable years. Holm has retained her hold as the No. 1 female in the world between 147 and 154 while Escalante, after a rough beginning in 2007, fought his way back to contention in 2008, with a title shot now looming for the Juarez-born, El Paso youngster.
Holm’s run
Holm, undefeated in 2008 with a record of 22-1-3 (6 KOs), fought four times, first selling out the house at Isleta with a seventh round TKO of highly-ranked Miriam Brakache, in January.
Four weeks later, she fought out of the area, for the first time in her career (not considering Ignacio as “out of the area”), decisioning overmatched, outsized Belinda Laracuente, at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, Calif.
In June, Fresquez gave us the year’s most significant fight when he matched up Holly with undefeated Mary Jo Sanders, at Isleta. Holm put on a clinic, winning a lopsided decision, but four months later, this time on Sanders’ turf, near Detroit, the best Holm could bring home was a draw.
Escalante a contender again
With an equally successful year, El Paso 122-pounder Antonio Escalante, with just three fights, all televised on Telefutura, battled his way back to top ten contention (WBA No. 6/WBO No. 9), ending the year with a record of 19-2, 12 KOs.
In February, in Boston, Mass., he outclassed the rugged Jose Angel Beranza with an unanimous decision. Three months later, at the Morongo in Cabazan, Calif., Albuquerque’s David Martinez, outsized, outpowered, out-everythinged, was destroyed in three rounds.
Then, late October, winning back the NABO super bantam belt lost to Mauricio Pastrana in the January 2006 disaster, Escalante was pitted against amateur stand-out Mike Oliver, who’d lost but once before. Escalante dropped the slick easterner three times in round one, and once in the third, before winning by kayo.
At present, Escalante is a fight or two from a legit title shot.
Top Mentionables
Honorable mentionables for 2008 include two more New Mexico fighters, and an El Pasoan.
Considered by many to be the top prospect in the state, 2004 Olympic alternate, jr. middleweight Austin “No Doubt” Trout (16-0, 12 KOs) remained undefeated, fighting thrice in ’08, though two bouts were mismatches.
Trout’s peak moment in the year came with an ESPN2-televised eight-rounder against undefeated Byron Tyson (9-0-2 before Trout), against whom he pitched a shutout decision.
 Asleep for most of the year (and rated in the WBC’s top ten for the first eight months), Luna-born Joaquin Zamora (17-2-1, 11 KOs) suddenly woke up in the summer to take on cross-state rival Ray Sanchez III in what is the most significant local fight of the year.
The fight took place in September, at Isleta, but there were neither fireworks, nor an audience, in his showdown with Sanchez, who was beaten down in less than three rounds.
The win, however, put Zamora at the top of the local map and, three months later, he weathered a rough knockdown to edge Jose Luis Gonzalez at what became the first pro card ever, at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.
(Judging by the poor turnout, it might also be the last.)
Both bouts were the televised co-main events on Telefutura.
Long-time contender Juan Lazcano (37-5-1, 27 KOs) might’ve fought but once in 2008, losing, at that, but he gave No. 1 jr. welterweight Ricky Hatton some rough moments in May, fighting him in Manchester, England.
Though losing a unanimous decision, Lazcano had Hatton hurt and clinching. A Hatton-friendly referee also might’ve been the difference between the loss and a KO win for Lazcano.
At present, and inactive since Hatton, Lazcano is 0-2 in his last two fights, through ’07 and ‘08. He is also off the top ten lists.
Prospects
New Mexican’s Hector Munoz (18-2-1, 11 KOs) and Joe Gomez (15-1-1, 7 KOs) had decent, if a somewhat inactive year.
Munoz ended a long layoff in February, winning a decision over rugged journeyman Roberto Valenzuela on a Success Only card, then hit the road, drawing with Irving Garcia in Puerto Rico (a noted fluke draw when the fight was stopped in round two due to a cut over Munoz’s eye) and then getting a chance to fight for the NABO welterweight belt in Montreal, Canada.
Undefeated Antonin Decarie, however, handed “Hurricane” Hector his second lost, stopping him in the final round of a 12-round bout.
Gomez, on the other hand, fought but once, winning a disputable decision over Rudy Hernandez in January, then edging Abel Perry in Ignacio, in May, for a majority decision. He has been inactive since.
Females
Two highly-ranked New Mexicans and one former champ made the local boxing news in 2008—but without much success.
NABF super flyweight champion Monica Lovato (12-1, 4 KOs), of Espanola, fought but once in 2008, defending her belt against slugger Crystal Hoy in what was one of the worst decisions of the year.
Lovato racked up the rounds but, in the seventh, Hoy downed her twice. Lovato was in such ragged condition after that, that the fight should have been stopped. To her credit, she showed tremendous heart, but was beaten pillar to post in the eighth, in what should’ve been a 10-8 round. Somehow, the judges scored a unanimous decision for Lovato.
Jodi Esquibel (5-3-1, 2 KOs), 1-1-1 in her previous three, was given a shot at WBC minimumweight champ Carina Moreno in October—to her credit, she lasted nine rounds.
After over four years of inactivity, former IFBA bantam champ Adriana Delgado (10-3-1, 3 KOs) staged a comeback at Sky Ute, only to get sliced and diced by Jennifer “Razor” Barber, who dominated the fight until it was stopped in the third.
The only other active female in the state, Clare de La Torre (1-6, 1 KOs), fought four times on the road, losing all of ‘em. De La Torre has now lost six straight.
Ironically, the top female (outside of Holly) between N.M. and El Paso, Jennifer Han, that is, attempted to make a pro debut on that aforementioned El Paso card, but had to settle for an exhibition. Her debut is still in the works.
Han’s brother, Abie Han, on the other hand, did not make much progress with his career. Which brings us to El Paso.
El Paso a dead scene
For over a hundred years, El Paso has been a bonafide fight town—but not this year.
But one card was staged—the disastrous show billing the comeback of Johnny Tapia. At the last minute, Tapia pulled out and what ended up the worst card all year—maybe El Paso’s worst, ever—was, somehow, pulled off.
Although Escalante carried the honors for his hometown, El Paso suffered in several other areas.
The good news? Heavyweight David Rodriguez remains undefeated, at 30-0, 28 KOs. The bad news? All three of Rodriguez’s opponents this year (all outside the realm of visibility here, in Mexico) were set up to be knocked down in less than a round each. Two guys were 1-6 in their last seven; another had suffered two straight KOs after a 22-year layoff.
Ouch.
Two of El Paso’s previously-hoped-for contenders, Cesar Lopez and Alex Becerra, fought tough fights on the road, losing all of ‘em. Lopez, now 0-4 in his last four, dropped two bouts, one to former champ Brian Viloria, another to Filipino Richie Mepranum; Becerra, now 0-3 in his last three, also lost two bouts on the road, to Yonnhy Perez, by KO, and a decision to Francisco Rodriguez.
Outside of Escalante, the city’s top hope appears to be Abie Han (2-0, 2 KOs), who fought just one bout in ’08, against an overmatched foe.
If he can just get a fight, we might see another contender develop in El Paso.
New Mexico young blood
Youngbloods are where it’s at, in New Mexico. The opportunities to fight may not be often, but the state may have its best group of young fighters seen in decades.
Four fighters—one from Las Cruces, three from Albuquerque—head the pack: bantamweight Sammy DiPace (5-0, 3 KOs), jr. lightweight Archie Ray Marquez (3-0, 3 KOs), bantamweight David Proa (5-0, 5 KOs) and featherweight Matthew Esquibel (8-0, 4 KOs).
DiPace stayed busy in ’08, fighting three easy opponents, and one difficult one, rising to 5-0. Of utmost importance in the development of young DiPace, is his newly-formed defense. Pound for pound in New Mexico, DiPace is at the top of the game here, with teammate Trout.
Another bantamweight, however, has bashed his way up the local ladder. Carrying Danny Romero-like power in his gloves, powerhouse David Proa also ended the year at 5-0, from destroying every one of his four opponents this year, the last of which was Ricky Vasquez.
Without any doubt, Proa has become the state’s most exciting fighter—he may even be the area’s top draw, outside of Holly Holm.
Also making waves in ’08 was Archie Ray Marquez, who rose to 4-0 before he became the first local to be signed by a national promoter (Gary Shaw Productions) since Ray Sanchez III.
Unfortunately, Marquez’s progress came to a screeching halt in November when he was slapped with a six-month suspension for taking diuretics. His win in October, too, will now be recorded as a no-contest, which dips Marquez back down to 3-0.
Holding the power to become the biggest local draw, well-liked Matthew Esquibel rose to 8-0 with an impressive win over Luis Cervantes in May—unfortunately, a hand injury and taking his time getting back to the gym, killed his momentum. Like many others fighting this year, Esquibel was a one-hit wonder in ’08.
Jr. lightweight Willie Villanueva (9-1, 2 KOs) ended the year with a loss. After a good start—a TKO over Elvis Martinez—Villanueva was able to escape a loss when he decisioned Lorenzo Estrada in February. Many thought it the worst decision of the year—but in June, Estrada, looking sharp after a six-year stint in prison, turned the tables by capturing a six-round split verdict.
Other youngsters worth mentioning: bantam James Piar (3-0, 2 KOs), now joined by brother Sammy, fought twice on Sky City shows; and Rio Rancho’s Lucas Galle (5-2) fought four times, losing once on the road.
Albuquerque’s Scott Furney (3-7-1, 1 KO) became New Mexico’s busiest fighter, entering the ring seven times between here and out-of-town—but four of seven were losses, all to bigger fighters.
Now, on to the debuters . . . .
Debuters
Several amateur standouts made debuts in ’08, but the one with the most potential appears, at least, thus far, is Las Vegas’ Arturo “Tudy” Crespin.
Crespin, now 2-0, 1 KO, debuted in August, taking out overmatched unknown Brijido Olivarez, then struggled, stamina- and weightwise, against game Daniel Gonzales, in November.
Crespin may, indeed, have the greatest potential of this year’s rookies, but his biggest struggle is going to be his weight. In his debut, he was 149; in November, he was a sloppy 155. If he can attain his true weight—my guess is 138 to 140—this kid’s got the goods bring Las Vegas their greatest fighter since the 1930s.
Hot amateurs Victor Filerio (1-0), Josh Torres (2-1), Alan Sanchez (2-0, 1 KO) and Vincent Mirabal (1-0) also made debuts. Filerio dropped to light-heavy in November, debuting in Phoenix; Torres picked up two wins locally, then lost in Phoenix; while Mirabal debuted in Ignacio, remaining inactive since; Sanchez debuted in Albuquerque and picked up a win in Phoenix in May.
Also going pro in ’08, excluding last-minute subs from Espanola: feather Sammy Piar (1-0, 1 KO); welter-to-lightweight Alejandro Lopez (2-2); MMA fighter Matt Priest (0-1) and middleweight Carlos Sanchez (1-0).
Not the best year for . . . .
Several area fighters prominent in previous years showed the downside to their careers in ’08.
Most notable was Ray Sanchez III, now 21-3 (15 KOs), who is showing a surprising amount of wear and tear since his exciting fight with Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., in 2007. In ’08, he eked a win over Patrick Thompson in May, then was hammered down by Joaquin Zamora in September.
Hopefully, he will not continue his career.
On that note, hopefully we have seen the final bout of Albuquerque’s David Martinez, now 18-5-1 (3 KOs), who was 0-2 in ’08. Despite his sharpness in previous years, and an outstanding amateur career, Martinez has shown a shocking decline in his defense in his two step-up fights this year, a TKO by 3 to Escalante, and a TKO in six to Yonnhy Perez.
Since his attempted comeback, future Hall-of-famer Johnny Tapia has, seemingly, given up his mission of comebacking. The 41-year-old five-time world champ has no sound reason to mess with the solid legacy he leaves behind.
On the topic of comebacks, mention has been made of Adriana Delgado, but none yet of former contender Frankie Archuleta, one-time victor over Tapia.
Late in the year, Archuleta (25-6, 14 KOs) signed to fight Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez in Friant, Calif., but a week before fight-time, the opponent was changed to former title challenger Martin Honorio, who took out Archuleta in five rounds with body shots.
Las Vegas’ Shawn Gallegos (16-4, 5 KOs) also attempted a comeback in April, in his sole fight of the year, losing a decision to undefeated Russian Dennis Shafikov, in Finland.
Albuquerque’s Mike Alderete (6-4-1, 3 KOs) also had a rough year, losing three and drawing once.
Amateur scene
Though the Las Cruces PAL remains at the forefront of developing the top stable in amateurs, the Albuquerque PAL, Warriors Boxing and the TUFF/Atrisco clubs are on the rise.
Top ranked amateurs included Olympic alternate Siju Shabazz, who fought on several international meets, Albuquerque’s Fidel Maldonado, top ten 132-pounder, Tao’s Michael Herrera, at 112; and two Hans from El Paso, Heather, at flyweight, and Stephanie, at lightweight.
At Under-19 division, Herrera and Roswell’s Andres Quintana (141) are ranked. At J.O., Emmanuel Montano, of Taos, at 106, El Pasoan Rauel Prieto at 145, and Frank Avalos, El Paso, at 189, are noted.
MMA action
While the Jackson/Winkeljohn stable continued to make worldwide news in MMA, the top fighter from New Mexico came from the FIT/NHB stable in Carlos Condit.
Condit finished the year 23-4, defending his WEC belt twice.
Diego Sanchez (19-2) bounced back in ’08, winning two bouts after back-to-back losses in ’07, but on undercards; while Keith Jardine (14-4-1) was 1-1 in ’08, decisioning Brandon Vera in a dull fight in October, and getting KO’d by Wanderlai Silva in May.
Also, on the rise, Donald Cerrone (9-0) scored two huge wins in ’08, against former WEC champ Rob McCullough in November and Danny Castillo in June.
10-count
New Mexico said good-bye to several former fighters in 2008, including Art “Golden Boy” Aragon, Ted “Mustang” Garcia, Miguel Tapia, Preston Draper and Lalo Trujillo.
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Cozzone’s Picks of the Year
Best Fights of 2008
Incredible fights were scarce in 2008, but my top four are:
1. Jose Cruz Garcia UD-4 Alejandro Lopez (May 10 @ Sky City, Romero). Garcia & Lopez battered one another for four non-stop rounds.
2. Matthew Esquibel MD-6 Luis Cervantes (May 10 @ Sky City, Romero). In his toughest fight yet, Esbuibel weathered a near-finishing knockdown in the fourth to duke it out with the capable Cervantes.
3. Chevelle Hallback UD-10 Jeannine Garside (June 13 @ Isleta, Fresquez). In an IFBA lightweight title fight, Hallback-Garside stole the show of the Holm-Sanders card.
4. Alejandro Lopez UD-4 Cesar Holguin-Gutierrez (Aug. 30 @ Sky City, Romero). Once again, Lopez stole the show, this time with Holguin-Gutierrez.
Runners-up: Joe Gomez SD-8 Rudy Hernandez (Jan. 11 @ Isleta, Fresquez); Carlos Sanchez UD-4 Matt Priest (Aug. 30 @ Sky City, Romero).
Worst Fights of 2008: Though 2008 had a few snoozers, the worst fights were those that were mismatches--and there were way too many of them. Many involved late substitutes from Espanola (Sky City card, Aug. 30); others were pitted against rising stars on Isleta shows (eg., Soto vs. Garcia, DiPace vs. Suarez, on May 9); yet, others were put in against David Rodriguez, out of town.
For other reasons, Zamora vs. Sanchez III was a terrible fight, in that it did not live up to expectations.
The Worst Decisions and/or Robberies of 2008
Due to several instances of wretched judging, there were several bad decisions in 2008, a long list that includes Villanueva vs. Estrada I, Lopez vs. Holguin-Gutierrez, Lovato vs. Hoy and Rodriguez vs. Dunaway. Though I did not see it, from what I hear, Holm vs. Sanders II might've been a candidate.
Biggest Upsets of Year
1. Lorenzo Estrada SD-6 Willie Villaneuva (June 13 @ Isleta, Fresquez). After losing a bad decision to Willanueva earlier in the year, Estrada came back stronger to win the rematch.
2. Holly Holm DRAW-10 Mary Jo Sanders (Oct. 17 near Detroit). After putting on a clinic with Sanders earlier in the year, Holm had to settle for a draw in the rematch.
3. David Proa KO-1 Ricky Vasquez (Nov. 28 in Rio Rancho, Top Rank/Romero). Maybe not an upset to some, but I expected a much tougher fight, and for Vasquez to bring Proa past the first round, maybe even outbox Proa for a decision win.
Best Cards of 2008
1. The Sky City Casino card promoted by Juan Romero on May 10 packed the most punch, hands down.
2. The debut of new promoter Success Only, at Club Fantasia, had a rowdy crowd and a good card. (C'mon "Cuz," how 'bout another card?)
3. The "Finally!" all-women's card at Isleta, promoted by Fresquez, headlined Holm-Sanders I, and several high-action women's title fights.
Top Male Fighter of the Year for 2008: Antonio Escalante
Runners-up: Austin Trout, Joaquin Zamora, Sammy DiPace, David Proa, Matthew Esquibel & Archie Ray Marquez.
Comeback of the Year: Lorenzo Estrada.
Female Fighter of the Year for 2008: Holly Holm.
Road Warrior of the Year award goes to Antonio Escalante, who picked up all three of his wins fighting out of the area, all on Telefutura.
Pro Debuter of the Year: Arturo Crespin. If "Tudy" can drop to 140 or 135, he could be New Mexico's top fighter in a couple of years.
Most Exciting Fighters for 2008: For New Mexico, David Proa and Alejandro Lopez; for El Paso, Antonio Escalante.
Most Underrated Fighter for 2008: David Proa.
Most Overrated Fighter for 2007: Due to his poor showing against Zamora, Ray Sanchez III.
Top Venue for Boxing in N.M.: While the best venue is now the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, travel to and fro the out-of-the-way venue, well, sucks. Once again, for hosting four of nine cards, Isleta takes the cake.
Top Amateurs for 2008: Siju Shabazz - ain't it time to go pro? - and Fidel Maldonado.
Most Improved Fighter of 2008: For the amateurs, Fidel Maldonado. For the pros, Sammy DiPace & Archie Ray Marquez.
Knockout of the Year: Can you say "David Proa?" Proa's knockout punch of Beto Perez had him flying through the air.
Biggest Disappointments of the Year: Where should I start? That god-awful fight card in El Paso that was supposed to headline Tapia's comeback; the suspension of Archie Ray Marquez, announced just after he was signed by Gary Shaw; the lack of fight cards in N.M., and/or fan support; Zamora vs. Sanchez III; the arrest of Gabe Montoya, and the apparent end to his boxing career; and, most of all, having too much talent between here and Las Cruces, with nowhere for our rising stars to fight.
Best Trainer(s) of the Year: For the third year in a row, the trainers at the Las Cruces PAL gym, Louie Burke, Sam DiPace & Rick Vasquez.
Top Promoter of the Year: For his involvement with four fight cards, and for putting on the best fights, Juan Romero.
Fights to see? Several with Abie Han; Arturo Crespin at 140 or under; Austin Trout vs. name fighters; Proa vs. increasingly tougher opposition; Zamora vs. a top ten contender; Esquibel's return; Marquez resuming career after suspension; and Joe Gomez vs. Elco Garcia.
Fights not to see? Proa vs. DiPace. Two of the state's top prospects need not narrow the list down to one by fighting one another. Let 'em both develop into contenders, at least, before their showdown happens.
What does N.M. boxing need? Fight cards, fight cards, and more fight cards. The talent is here--and the number of fighters needed to fill cards. Also needed: more fans.
Best official for N.M. Uh... next question? Let's just say we're lucky to have Rocky Burke, Russell Mora and Levi Martinez, and leave it at that.
Top MMA fighter in New Mexico for 2008: Carlos Condit. |
