By Austin Killeen May 26, 2016

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Yesterday at Ray Lopez’s Gym located in the South Valley Alex Holguin met with the media to announce that he had signed a contract with boxing manager Cameron Dunkin of Las Vegas, Nevada. To say that Holguin has been flying under the radar since turning pro in November of 1013, would make you king of stating the obvious. In his two and a half year career Holguin has compiled a 7-1- 0 record with 4 KO’s. But who is aware of his accomplishments outside of his immediate family. It’s safe to say that the matronly librarian on the next block attracted more attention last month when she introduced a new line of brown book marks at the checkout counter. If past accomplishments are a predictor of future achievements than Cameron Dunkin is about to have a major impact on the career of Mr. Holguin. Forget radar, you’ll just have to look to the heavens to see a speeding meteorite called “Rock Holguin” flaring over the “Duke City” skyline.

Alex drew his first breath on January 29, 1990 in Albuquerque. “My family has always been into boxing since I can remember. We would watch De La Hoya, Trinidad and Chavez on TV, but I was the first one to compete. I started when I was six years old in Martial Arts doing Taekwondo and Kenpo, earning a black belt in Taekwondo. I didn’t try boxing until I was fifteen years old at the PAL Gym and liked it.” Holguin didn’t just like it, he was good at it. He had a total of 80 amateur bouts, winning three Golden Gloves titles, two U.S. Men’s Championships and a Ring Side Title.

I saw Alex for the first time when he won his third golden gloves title in the 132 pound division. He had three tough fights, while other competitors won championships because they were the only entry in their division. He turned pro on November 16, 2013, winning a hard fought decision over Brandon Salazar. Unfortunately for Alex his pro career has been plagued by cancellations and last minute replacements, making it difficult to improve his skills. Looking over the totality of his career, it would appear his faced stiffer competition in the amateurs. That’s not Alex’s fault, he can only fight whoever is standing in the other corner. It doesn’t matter how good you are, what matters is how well your reconnected if you hope to progress in the fight business.

Hopefully Cameron Dunkin is the answer to Alex Holguin’s problem. Dunkin is no stranger to Albuquerque, having worked with Danny Romero Jr. and Johnny Tapia in the 90’s. Today he’s actively involved in the careers of local boxers, Fidel Maldonado Jr., Brian Mendoza and Matthew Griego. To say that their dance cards are filled up would be an understatement, they seem to be fighting every month. The undefeated Griego turned pro in late January and already has had five pro bouts, while undefeated Mendoza has claimed into the ring fourteen times. Maldonado has made the most progress, facing some of the best young prospects in his weight class on national TV.

 

With Dunkin pulling the strings, Holguin should have the same opportunities as Maldonado, Mendoza and Griego. Dunkin might be able to get Holguin a steady diet of fights, but he’ll have to maximize his skills if he hopes to advance. With trainer Sergio Chavez in his corner, Alex should be able to maximize his chances for success. After the press conference was over, I stayed around to watch Chavez and Holguin train. This is a match made in heaven as Holguin has a great attitude and Chavez the knowledge to make the sum greater than its parts. At his best Holguin throws excellent combinations and yesterday’s drills were about the art of throwing combinations. Look for Chavez to break down every aspect of boxing into it basic parts, while an eager Holguin absorbs each lesson.

Also helping in the training of Holguin are Ray Lopez and Flory Olguin Jr. who appear to work seamlessly with head trainer Chavez. It was Lopez who first reached out to Cameron Dunkin on behalf of the young fighter. After hearing the story of the Albuquerque boxer, Dunkin saw the potential opportunity of working with Alex. Olguin has been associated with Holguin since he first walked into the PAL Gym eleven years ago. If there are any egos involved in this association, they are checked at the door.

 

 

In following the career of Holguin I couldn’t help but notice that at 5’ 10” the lanky fighter has an uncanny resemblance to all-time great Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua. If trainer Sergio Chavez can find Alex’s inner Alexis Arguello then. . .

For the young fighter from the South Valley the dates June 18 and July 9 are already filled in on his dance card. The agreement between Dunkin and Holguin calls for Alex to have four fights in the first year of his contract and three fights for the next four years of their arrangement. All any boxer can ask for is the opportunity to showcase his skills. It appears that Holguin will have the opportunity to fulfill his dreams of boxing success and that’s all that any boxer can ask for.