On Saturday August 8, Legacy Boxing Promotions held a public workout at the Fight Shop on Coors Boulevard. Some of the boxers participating in the following weekend’s show worked out and mingled with the fans. Legacy Boxing Promotions is the brain child of five investors Aaron and Jordan Perez, Eric Martinez, Miguel Leo and Tony Valdez. This is the group’s second foray into promoting, having promoted a show on May 9 at the Camel Rock Casino in Santa Fe. Jordan Perez spoke to me regarding the goals of Legacy. “Were trying to do something different, be active in the sport. Be active with the boxing scenery in New Mexico. We want to pay the fighters what they deserve. After the fight on Saturday, we’ll be talking about the next card in two months. We want to give the boxers exposure.” This five bout card will have four six rounder’s with the opening bout scheduled for four rounds.

In the main event bantamweights Tony Valdez (8-4-5, 7 KO’s) of Espanola, NM and Gilberto Mendoza (5-4-1, 1 KO) of Modesto, CA have some unfinished business to attend to. In May of this year they battled to an exciting draw. Both boxers have faced tough competition and are seasoned veterans.   Valdez has entered the winners circle as a result of his punch; Mendoza has his hand raised as a result of his boxing skills. Both boxers respect each other and these are the kinds of fights that typically turn into wars; not the fake stare downs that permeate most weighins. Valdez was excited about his new trainer Sergio Chavez; “he’s working on things with me I was totally doing wrong in my fighting style. We’re going to go in there and change it up a bit. You’re going to see a new Tony in there.” Obviously Valdez is the local hero, but when the first bell rings he won’t find a cupcake waiting in the other corner. Mendoza has come to the “Duke City” in search of a win.

In the semifinal Elco Garcia (28-9-0, 13 KO’s) of Ignacio, CO will face Rahman Mustafa Yusubov (11-21-0, 9 KO’s) of Dallas, TX. All you have to know about Garcia is that he holds two wins over Santa Fe’s talented Joaquin Zamora; one by stoppage. Garcia’s nickname is “The Animal” and if anything his nickname is an understatement. If he had to stop a tank, he’d probably put dents in it with his fists. I was at ringside in El Paso, TX for Yusubov’s last fight. If he drives like he fights, his car has no backup lights. This matchup is a collision between two cyborgs with the winner being the fans in attendance. This is a rematch of a fight they had two and a half years ago. I’ll be surprised if the judges will need their pencils, as this does not figure to go the distance.

Jesus Pacheco (3-4-0) of Albuquerque will face John Herrera (4-12-2, 2 KO’s) of Roswell, NM in the evenings third contest. This figures to go the distance but will have plenty of action. I have given Pacheco the moniker of “Mr. Bean”, due to his resemblance to English actor Rowan Atkinson. I was disappointed to see Pacheco had grown chin whiskers since I last saw him, because the resemblance is not as obvious. Besides Atkinson is a comic, but Pacheco is no joke. I’ve seen many of Pacheco’s fights and he has been the victim of some strange verdicts. The greater Albuquerque area has a proliferation of featherweights so I asked Pacheco is there anyone he’d like to put on his dance card. He responded, “Not really, not at this time. But if they want to put me in the ring with somebody, we’ll take it. I’m not ducking anybody.” Herrera is noted for his defense, having never been stopped in his career. But his defense is his problem as he lacks any meaningful offense. Too often he acts like a paid sparring partner and not a paid boxer. I favor Pacheco in this matchup, but if Herrera decides to move his hands. . . One interesting sidebar to this bout; Aaron and Jordan Perez train Pacheco but their little brother Agustin is sparring with Herrera in Roswell on a regular bases.

Angelo Leo (6-0-0, 3 KO’s) of Albuquerque will face Stephon McIntyre (2-9-2) of Jonesboro, GA in the evenings fourth six rounder. I use to compare Leo to former welterweight Chico Vejar due to his stylish boxing skills. But lately I’ve been scrambling for a new comparison due to Leo’s explosive knockouts. Regardless of who you compare him to, he has a silky smooth style. Leo’s biggest problem in the ring is the size of his opponents; he’s a natural bantamweight and they aren’t. Leo has yet to fight at his natural weight of 118 lbs. I asked Leo if he was rusty having had almost a year off between his last two fights. He was quick to respond; “Not at all, I’ve been in gym constantly. I had some good sparring in California, including WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz.” McIntyre has no illusions as to why he’s been invited to Albuquerque; he’s defiantly not going to be the grand marshal of a parade.  McIntyre has faced some solid opposition and figures to extend Leo into the late rounds.

Jason Sanchez (4-0-0, 1 KO) of Albuquerque will face Damen Wood (0-3-0) of Portland, OR in the evenings only four rounder. I’ve seen Sanchez fight both as an amateur and as a pro. His amateur background is very impressive with close to one hundred bouts. Jason won the national GG’s title in Las Vegas a few years ago, proudly keeps the championship belt in his house. He also won the regional’s in the Silver Gloves, losing in the semi finals at the nationals. I asked Jason who he sees on the horizon as an opponent. He said, “I’d like to fight Brandon Holmes of Buffalo Thunder, he’s also undefeated.” Ever the business man, Jason realizes the fight would be worth a lot more money down the road if they can both stay undefeated. Sanchez has a solid build and throws with power. That’s why I’m puzzled by his knockout total. Watching his work with Jesus Pacheco for six rounds the other day, I was impressed by both boxers. If Sanchez hopes to end his knockout drought on Saturday, he might be facing the wrong opponent. Although Wood is winless in the pro ranks he has never been stopped. My experience with boxers who have never been KO’d, they will do anything to keep that statement in tack. I have no doubt that fans that get to the arena early, will find the opening bout entertaining.

This appears to be a solid card from top to bottom, in which the promoters are giving local boxers some nice exposure. But Legacy Boxing Promotions can only create opportunities; it’s up to the local heroes to deliver the wins. The Albuquerque Convention Center doesn’t rent cheap, so somebody better be selling some tickets if there is to be more shows at this location.