By Austin Killeen

Promoter Jordan Perez is offering fans a solid six bout card featuring young prospects for the most part. He has his nephew Aaron “Angel Baby” Perez in his first feature bout; which should tell where “Angel baby” is in his young career. For Willie Villanueva it will be his first time in the square circle in almost six years. The question for Villanueva will be how the long layoff has affected his skills. For Brandi Montoya who spent five years in the Marines the question is the same. Jose Luis Sanchez and Ronnie Baca are getting a chance to showcase their considerable skills, but did their opponents bother to read their scrapbooks. For Andre Garlaza and Daniel Garcia-Flores it’s an opportunity to gain much needed experience in an evenly matched contest. 

The co-feature bouts are scheduled for six rounds.

In the main event of the evening at featherweight, Aaron Angel Perez (4-0-0, 4 KO’s) 129.4 lbs. of Albuquerque, NM will face Jose Antonio Martinez (11-14-0, 6 KO’s) 130.8 lbs. of Durango, Mexico. This should be the toughest test of Perez’s career as Martinez has had over thirty pro fights. He’s aggressive, throws punches in bunches and can bob-n-weave. Martinez has faced the tougher opposition, so he shouldn’t be intimated by his undefeated opponent.  Perez knows how to make adjustments when needed, dominating all of his pro bouts. But up to now his competition has been one dimensional; I’ll be curious to see how he deals with a seasoned pro like Martinez. This is a good test for Perez who has worked hard in preparation for Saturday night. He has spent many rounds boxing with undefeated featherweight Jason Sanchez whose experience should seriously help him in his first main event.

In the co-feature at welterweight, Willie Villanueva (10-5-1, 2 KO’s) 144.2 lbs. of Albuquerque, NM faces Ricardo Alan Fernandez (3-9-4) 142.6 lbs. of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. I’ve seen Villanueva spar many times in the gym, but never in a pro fight. He’s a boxer not a puncher, in good shape, and has a solid defense. Looking at had his pro experience shows that he has been tested many times. However, it has been several years since he entered the ring and ring rust could be a bigger problem for Villanueva than his adversary.  The one advantage that Fernandez has is activity; this will be his third bout this year. If he can get off to a fast start this could be an interesting matchup. 

The four remaining bouts are scheduled for four rounds.

In a bantamweight contest, Cecilia Renova (1-0-0) 118.6 lbs. of Albuquerque, NM faces Brandi Montoya (5-2-0) 118.6 lbs. of Albuquerque, NM. Both Renova and Montoya have a fan friendly style, based on constant pressure. It’s surprising that neither one of them has a knockout considering how they are both volume punchers. Neither one has been in the ring in several years, so ring rust could play a major role in this contest. Montoya has the greater experience against superior competition, which can’t be overlooked in evaluating this contest. Renova has been training with Aaron Perez at his gym on Edith Street and should be prepared when the bell rings. I watched both girls spar in preparation for this contest; this has the potential to be the fight of the night.

In a welterweight contest, Ronnie Baca (4-0-1, 3 KO’s) 146.8 lbs. of Albuquerque, NM faces Issac Luna (2-0-0) 147.6 lbs. of San Elizario, TX. Baca carriers one punch power in both hands, so don’t be looking around when the bell rings; otherwise you’ll miss the fight. Luna is also undefeated, which would indicate that he has some ability. Luna displayed good defensive skills in his pro debut and is capable of giving Baca a stiff challenge. This is another solid contest by promoter Jordan Perez.

 

At junior middleweight, Jose Luis Sanchez (7-1-0, 3 KO’s) 158.4 lbs. of Albuquerque will face Anthony Hill (1-25-0) 147.8 lbs. of Fort Worth, TX. Sanchez has heavy hands just like his undefeated brother Jason, and can break an opponent down just by pounding on his rival’s arms. If you’re laughing at the record of Hill you’re making a big mistake, as he went the distance with Brian Mendoza and Ronnie Baca who are both undefeated bombers. He won’t be lying on the ropes waiting to be hit and possess more moves than a revolving door. This is a good test for Sanchez. 

In the opening bout of the evening at middleweight, Andre Garlaza (0-2-0) 158 lbs. of Albuquerque will face Daniel Garcia-Flores (1-3-0) 159.4 lbs. of Albuquerque. I saw Garlaza’s pro debut and he displayed some poise. His problem was his inability to launch an offense. He has to move his hands more, but if he does victory could be within reach. Flores entered the winners circle for the first time in his last fight. He works very hard and is now being trained by Ray Lopez, which seems to be a good hookup. He’s a good counter puncher, but needs to throw more left jabs to create openings. He’s a work in progress but improving each time out.