By Austin Killeen June 18, 2016

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Yesterday at the MCM Elegante Hotel, Legacy Promotions had the weigh ins for tonight’s seven bout fight card at the Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The naysayers were quick to classify this as feeding time at the zoo; with local heroes being feed dead bodies from California, Texas and Georgia. I’ve seen these dead bodies fight in person and I wouldn’t want to be in the ring with any of them, they have skills and they are tough. I’m referring to featherweight Raymond Chacon of The Golden State, Hector Garza of the Lone Star State and Stephon McIntyre of Peach State. Their bags are always packed and the phone usually rings 48 hours before their next fight. The request over the phone usually inquires if they can travel halfway across the country to face the home town hero in front of a hostile crowd. Maybe Jason Sanchez, Hector Munoz and Jose Osorio will dispatch them in the very first round, but I doubt it. I think these will be exciting bouts and the home town heroes will have to do more than just show up if they want to be victorious.

In the main event Albuquerque’s Jason Sanchez (6-0- 0, 3 KO’s) will face Raymond Chacon (6-19- 0). In his last fight Sanchez destroyed twenty bout veteran John Herrera who had never been stopped in his entire career. The bout was over in 93 seconds of the first round. The Roswell boxer was on the canvas twice and appeared to be paralyzed by brutal body shots. Sanchez packs power in both hands and he’ll need it if he hopes to take out Chacon before the final bell. The last time Chacon paid a visit to the “Land of Enchantment” he upset local hero Tony Valdez by decision. If I stated that Chacon was a light hitter it would make me king of stating the obvious. Chacon has never scored a KO in his entire career, but has never been stopped either. The boxer from California is in great shape, has outstanding footwork and is a beautiful boxer.

In what is being called the co-feature “Duke Cities” welterweight Hector “The Hurricane” Munoz (23-18 1, 15 KO’s) will face Hector Garza (3-17- 0, 2 KO’s) of Harlingen, TX. Munoz is no stranger to being “the opponent” himself, but yesterday he was getting all the love from the hometown fans. His nickname says it all; he explodes out of his corner at the opening bell and throws leather with bad intentions. If you’re fighting “The Hurricane” you better be in shape, because he sucks the oxygen out of the ring. When I saw the 38 year old Munoz yesterday my jaw dropped, he was in the best shape of his life; he looked to have less than 8 % body fat. You would have to make Munoz the favorite in this matchup, although Garza’s career has traveled the same bumpy road as his rival, but the competition has not been at the same high level. I’ve seen several of Garza’s fights in Texas and was shocked when I first saw his win/loss record. I can’t figure out why he only has three wins, as he clearly looks comfortable in the ring. He introduced me to his new trainer Abel Fonseca II; they clearly have a great relationship. Garza feels this relationship will have a major impact on his career.

In a four rounder, featherweight Jose Osorio (4-3- 1, 2 KO’s) of Albuquerque will face Stephon McIntyre (2-21- 2) of Jonesboro, GA. This bout looked like it was going to start at the scales as both combatants showed little love for each other. Osorio’s eight bout career has been brutal and I don’t think he’s getting a break tonight. I saw McIntyre’s fight with undefeated stud Angelo Leo and it was a beauty. Leo had to bring out all his artillery to win an exciting fight last year in Albuquerque. Like Raymond Chacon, McIntyre has no knockout wins, but he’s quick, throws punches in bunches and takes a good punch. I’ve never seen Osorio get in the ring without being prepared and that’s a good thing, because the former GG’s champ will need his “A” game to be victorious tonight. I hope there’s a fire hose at ringside because it might be needed to put out a fire; these two guys don’t seem to like each other very much.

In another exciting matchup at 130 pounds, Alex Holguin (7-1- 0, 4 KO’s) of Albuquerque faces Ramiro Torres (4-31- 1, 2 KO’s) of San Antonio, TX. Holguin a former GG’s champion has just signed a promotional contract with Cameron Dunkin and is being trained by Sergio Chavez full time. Holguin could be named “the Gentleman” because he shows little inclination in having a confrontation on the scales. Alex is old school, believing that boxing should take place in the ring not at the weigh ins. Next to the word boxer/puncher in the dictionary is a photo of Holguin, because he’s content to win either way. He throws sweet combinations with accuracy but can box and has a solid defense. Not many people have joined me regarding my opinion, but I think the lanky Holguin has an uncanny resemblance to former all-time great Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua. Holguin has built up a nice record and with a few more wins should be able to command a nice payday. I know absolutely nothing about Ramiro Torres but he did appear to be in good shape.

In a four rounder between debuting boxers, Eduardo Ortiz will face Oliver Parker in a middleweight contest. As with Ramiro Torres I have little knowledge of these young men. However there appeared to be a great deal of buzz regarding Ortiz at the weigh in. He looks to be 6’ and has a nice build. He’s being trained by Angel Romero whom I’ve seen do some nice work in the past. Romero was very excited about Ortiz and thinks he has a good prospect on his hands. I guess we’ll find out tonight.

Jason Sanchez isn’t the only Sanchez on tonight’s card, his big brother junior middleweight Jose Luis Sanchez (4-1- 0, 2 KO’s) of Albuquerque will face Zamir Young (1-4- 1) of Durango, CA. In his last fight Sanchez destroyed previously undefeated Ambrocio Bautista in 34 seconds of the opening round. Like Alex Holguin, Sanchez is pretty low key on the scales preferring to flex his muscles in the ring. If I haven’t already created the image that Sanchez has some power, Sanchez has some power. I have never seen Young box, but I hope he’s not flat footed; otherwise this will be a quick fight.

There is one female bout on the card, at featherweight between debuting boxers. Ayanna Vasquez is from Las Cruces and Katie Ramirez of Bosque Farms. I believe that Vasquez is the sister of Adam Vasquez and in talking to her last year in El Paso, Texas she was a former runner up in the nationals. According to Rick Wright of the Albuquerque Journal Ramirez has a solid amateur background and also was a kick boxer. Rick Wright is an excellent journalist so the above information is most assuredly accurate.

Eric Martinez of Legacy Promotions has a solid track record in promoting good fight cards. I think he’s has an entertaining card tonight at the Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.