Few prospects in boxing today have had a more difficult four-fight run at the same stage of their professional careers than the recent schedule of welterweight Alan Sanchez. In his last four bouts, the rugged Sanchez (5-2-1, 2 KOs) of Fairfield, California took on four fellow prospects in a row. The combined record of the four was 30-2 at the time of their contests. Tomorrow night, Sanchez gets his first home game and will take on long tenured journeyman Cristian Favela (28-30-7, 18 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. Their eight-round bout is the Telefutura-televised co-main event emanating from the Fairfield Sports Center.
It is the opinion of several who have sat ringside for Sanchez’ three blemishes, including his trainer Jesse Lopez, that the Fairfield prospect should be undefeated. “Alan hasn’t really lost any fights, they have just taken them from him,” says Lopez, who operates the JL Tepito Boxing Club in Fairfield with his son Jesse Lopez Jr. “But he always gives good fights, and that is why they keep calling us and that is why they have made this fight.”
Sanchez’ most recent bout, against former Mexican Olympian Luis Grajeda, aired nationally on Telefutura. Despite dropping Grajeda twice in an eight-round bout, Sanchez was forced to settle for a draw. “Everybody knew [we won,] but they gave him a draw because Oscar De La Hoya had that guy,” says Lopez. “All the people, they started booing. Even some of De La Hoya’s people said ‘No man, Alan won the fight.’ Don Chargin was there, and he said ‘Jesse, he won clean.’ The commentators, even they said Alan won the fight. Everyone said he won the fight.”
Lopez had talked to the promoters about staging a fight in Fairfield for some time, and after Sanchez’ strong showing against Grajeda, they decided to move forward with the idea. “I told them people like boxing over there,” recalls Lopez. “There are a lot of fanatics of boxing over there. After the Grajeda fight, they told me they were going to bring a fight here. I told them to get some guys from Vacaville to help bring in more people, but you know it’s already all sold out. People keep calling me, but I have to tell them that it is already sold out.”
In all, Lopez has four guys on the card, including Alan’s brother Luis Sanchez. If anyone in the state has had a tougher schedule than Alan, it is his brother Luis (0-4). “Luis is a good fighter. The only thing is that sometimes he doesn’t throw enough punches,” says Lopez. “But I call him the “Machine Gun,” because he can throw punches from anywhere and he can do damage.” Luis will take on his fifth straight unbeaten opponent in Jonathan Garcia (3-0, 2 KOs) of Watsonville, California in a four-rounder. “I know how much hard work boxing is, and that is what I teach my guys, hard work,” says Lopez. “Boxing is hard to predict, because you never know.”
In the televised co-main event, unbeaten middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales (13-0, 10 KOs) of Sacramento, California returns to fight in his home area for the first time since May of 2009 as he takes on Lester Gonzalez (11-1-1, 6 KOs) of San Diego, California by way of Havana, Cuba in an eight-rounder. Also on the card, is touted Golden Boy prospect Manuel Avila (1-0) of Fairfield and lightweight prospect Maximilliano Becerra (3-0-1, 2 KOs) of nearby Vacaville, California. The sold out event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions, Jorge Marron Productions and Paco Presents.
A New Day for Knight
Former title challenger Ava Knight (5-1-2, 2 KOs) and now fighting out of Oakland, California will end a seventeen-month layoff at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California next week in a six-round bout against battle-tested Gloria Salas (3-5-1, 1 KO) of Palm Springs, California.
In her last outing, Knight fell to Ana Maria Torres by unanimous decision in an attempt at the WBC Super Flyweight title. Despite entering the bout battling injuries, Knight lost close on two of the official scorecards in a bout that took place in Torres’ native Mexico. Knight, who has moved from Chico, California to the more fight-happy Oakland, is happy to be returning to the ring.
“After a long lay off, my motivation is higher than ever and I’ve gotten my fire back,” Knight tells 15rounds.com. “I’m hungry this time, and now I am getting the opportunity to show people who I am. I was doubted before and have always been the underdog, but now people will see what I am about and how good I really am. This fight is a warm up for more to come this year.”
In the Telefutura-televised headliner, Cuban prospect Erislandy Lara takes on Delray Raines in a ten-round light middleweight bout. Tickets for the event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, are available online at FanstaySpringsResort.com.
Escobedo Back March 3rd
Golden Boy will return to the Fantasy Springs Casino on March 3rd, as former lightweight title challenger Vicente Escobedo (22-3, 14 KOs) of Woodland, California will be featured in the main event against an opponent to be announced.
Escobedo is coming off of a unanimous decision defeat to fellow Northern California-based contender Robert Guerrero in November. Escobedo was downed twice, but rallied late in the fight to make for an exciting finish. The night was bittersweet for Escobedo, who proposed to his girlfriend Valerie Zarate in the ring after the fight. Zarate said yes.
That bout was contested at lightweight, but Escobedo plans to make a move in the 130-pound super featherweight class. Escobedo, the IBF #6 ranked lightweight, fought at 130- early in his career, but has been a full-fledged lightweight since 2008. The super featherweight is wide open, with nary a big name, but plenty of opportunities for rapid advancement through the rankings.
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected].
