By Austin Killeen Ringside

The Perez brothers have a six bout card with all the contests figuring to be exciting matchups. I’ll admit I’m friendly with both brothers, but I’m not selling fertilizer as this is a good card. From top to bottom there are some impressive pairings and the ‘A’ side of the fight poster is not being fed a diet of easy offerings. Josh “Pitbull” Torres has to win or think about retiring. Jason “El Alacrancito” Sanchez wants to get to the big time; tonight will tell him where he stands regarding that dream. Aaron “Angel Baby” Perez will quickly find out that there is a big difference between the pros and the amateurs, as the referees let the fighters fight. Ronnie “Mongoose” Baca might find out he’s in the ring with a Mongoose. Cristian “Castigo” Castillo/Timothy Ruiz is a contest between two exciting young fighters, who carry power in their gloves. Finally, Jose Prado will find out that Gene Perez has not taken the time to read his opponent’s scrapbook.

In the main event of the evening scheduled for 8 rounds, welterweight Josh “Pitbull” Torres (16-6-2, 8 KO’s) of Albuquerque, NM faces Morris Rodriguez (7-10-1, 4 KO’s) of Sacramento, CA. This is a contest that Torres has to win, as he is three and three in his last six bouts since 2015. You have to go back to April of 2015 when he won a ten round majority decision over Ranee Ganoy of the Philippines. That was an exciting contest before a sellout crowd at the Albuquerque Civic Center. Since that time his career has been stuck in mud.  He is only twenty eight years old and in tremendous physical condition, so he is capable of turning up the heat. Don’t be fooled by Morris Rodriguez’s win/loss record as his last fight was an upset knockout over Zachary Wohlman four months ago. He also has a pair of decision victories over previously undefeated fighters. Rodriguez is use to fighting on the ‘B’ side of a fight poster and coming out on top. If Torres is looking past Rodriguez, he’ll be making a big mistake.

In the semi-final scheduled for 6 rounds, Featherweight Jason “El Alacrancito” Sanchez (11-0-0, 6 KO’s) of Albuquerque, NM faces German “Panteonero” Meras (58-46-2, 35 KO) of Agua Prieta, Mexico. Sanchez can hit and carries his punch into the late rounds as he proved against durable Juan Carlos Guillen. He clearly believes in himself as he’s willing to take the short money so promoters can afford to bring in dangerous foes. If he continues to destroy dangerous opponents he will attract the notice of the major players of the boxing world. Meras is clearly the most dangerous opponent that Sanchez has ever faced. With over half his wins coming by knockout this young man can hit. This figures to be an explosive fight as long as it lasts, so don’t be at the refreshment stand when the bell sounds for the start of the first round.

 

The remaining bouts are scheduled for 4 rounds.

In the fourth bout of the evening, debuting Albuquerque featherweights Aaron “Angel Baby” Perez and Levi Lucero will face each other. Perez is one of the most decorated amateurs in the country, and doesn’t need the customary buildup typical of most young fighters. He is a boxer/puncher with a solid skill set and capable of facing serious competition right now. Lucero is a veteran cage fighter and won’t be intimidated by the crowd. The question for Lucero, can he make the necessary adjustments needed to transition from the octagon to a boxing ring.

 

In the third bout of the evening, Ronnie “Mongoose” Baca (2-0-1, 1 KO) will face debuting Alexis Saucedo in a contest between Albuquerque boxers. In two of Baca’s fights he has faced dangerous competition and held his own. Although very tall for a welterweight, Baca is surprisingly effective working on the inside. Don’t assume that Baca is being given an easy assignment tonight as the report on Saucedo is a good one. Veteran pro Cristian Cabral has sparred with Saucedo on several occasions and tells me that this young man has power in both hands.

 

In the second bout of the evening, welterweight Cristian “Castigo” Castillo (1-0-0, 1 KO) of Albuquerque, NM faces Timothy Ruiz (1-0-0, 1 KO) of Hereford, NM. Looking for the fight of the night on a solid fight card – this could be it. In his pro debut Castillo looked very professional. He faced a much bigger opponent. In the early part of the opening round he was content to fight on the defensive. Suddenly he exploded an overhand right to the head of his rival and the fight was quickly terminated. In Ruiz’s debut a defensive mistake got him in big trouble, but he showed some nice defensive skills to ride out a very difficult first round. But he showed some smarts in correcting his opening round mistake to score an impressive TKO in the second round. Both fighters can hit and have above average talent for beginning boxers. Because of what I witnessed by both boxers in their debuts, this is an interesting matchup.

In the evenings opening contest, junior welterweight Jose Prado (8-2-1, 3 KO’s) of Pharr, TX will face Gene Perez (2-11-1) Belen, NM. Prado comes to the “Duke City” with a big reputation as a solid pro with skills. I never witnessed him in the ring, but would have to favor him in this contest. Having said that, everyone knows what a dangerous opponent Perez is. He’s is never in a bad fight, and fears no one. Look for this to be an exciting contest.