By Austin Killeen

There is nothing quite like adoring fans stampeding to be the first ones to climb on the band wagon of their latest hero. Unless you compare it to the same adoring fans as they leap off the same band wagon at the first sign of a pothole in the road. It can happen to politicians, movie stars, singers or sports heroes. Some people exit center stage gracefully, while others overstay their expiration date. For Fidel Maldonado, a “Duke City” hero, he knows the shouts of “there goes ‘The Atrisco Kid’, he’s going to be champ.” He also knows the whispers of “he use to be good.” When he upset Pablo Cesar Cano on television, he became an overnight sensation after only 18 years of boxing. When he was stopped by Ismael Barroso four months later with a body shot, he had a glass jaw. He’s not the first, nor will he be the last to face his critics regarding an ending for the final chapter.

Promoter Pat Holmes is putting on an interesting six bout card at the Buffalo Thunder Casino and Fidel Maldonado isn’t the only boxer facing some tough questions come Saturday night. Leanna Martinez and Jordanne Garcia also face difficult assignments this weekend.

In the main event of the evening, scheduled for 8 rounds, lightweight Fidel Maldonado (24-4-1, 19 KO) of Albuquerque, NM faces Luis Gerardo Avila (8-14-3, 5 KO’s) of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. All fights are about risk versus reward, for Maldonado this bout is mostly risk. If he wins, he’ll be credited with beating a stiff. A loss and he might as well work full time at his day job. I’ve watched him in training this week and he looked sharp against undefeated Dwayne Ziegler (9-0-1, 5 KO’s), Antonio Martinez and working with Leanna Martinez for speed. People think of Maldonado as a puncher, and he is, but he is also a gifted boxer. Unfortunately, when he gets hit he has a bad habit of going macho at the cost of defense. Avila looked good in winning a crowd pleasing decision over Martinez. He displayed a solid chin, good footwork and strong punching. If Maldonado has an off night, Avila has the ability to win either by decision or knockout. He showed in his upset of Martinez, he’s not timid and will go after an opponent who is hurt.

In the semi-final scheduled for 6 rounds, lightweight Antonio Martinez (9-5-4, 6 KO’s) of Espanola, NM faces Pablo Batres (9-16-1, 2 KO’s) of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. After winning eight bouts and having one draw, Martinez has had a dry spell losing three of his last four fights. Granted they were all by split decision, but are they all bad decisions when they happen in your home town. Martinez is popular with the fans and sells tickets faster than a bird in a wind storm, but he needs a win and Saturday would be a nice time to get one. I met Batres today, and he seems like a fine young man who is full of confidence. Also his record indicates he can win a few.

In the fourth bout scheduled for 6 rounds, Leanna Martinez (4-0-0, 3 KO’s) of Espanola, NM faces debuting Amy Salinas of Las Cruces, NM. Last week when I spoke with Martinez about Salinas we agreed that the Las Cruces boxer was in her future. We didn’t know that her original opponent would fall out and Salinas would be her opponent in seven days. I saw Salinas train several times in the gym but never saw her fight. Fortunately fight trainers Yoruba Moreu and Lupe Perez gave me some good background information. Salinas is a highly decorated amateur with over one hundred bouts to her credit. She has won several titles at the national level and has international experience. USA boxing ranks her as the #2 flyweight in the country. They both describe her as a boxer/puncher who is aggressive and works well to both the head and body. On paper, this looks like the fight of the night.

 

The remaining bouts are scheduled for 4 rounds

In the third bout, light heavyweight Maurice Jackson (1-0-0, 1 KO) of Chicago, IL faces debuting Gabriel Rodriguez of El Paso, TX. I watched Jackson’s pro debut and was impressed with his maturity and patience while still remaining aggressive. He’s short and stocky, but can slip punches while working his way inside. He reminds me a little of Marvin Hagler, but I don’t mean to place undue pressure on him. I’d like to see a little more of him before placing him in the international hall of fame. I know nothing about Gabriel Rodriguez.

(Maurice Jackson)

In the second bout, middleweight Loretto Olivas (2-0-0, 1KO) of Santa Fe, NM faces Andre Galarza (1-2-0) of Albuquerque, NM. I witnessed both of Olivas’ fights and liked what I saw. In his knockout win, he saw an opening and took advantage. He takes his time working behind a nice jab. I’ve also witnessed Galarza as a pro and he’s relaxed in the ring. A lot of inexperienced fighters take three or four bouts before they settle down, that’s not a problem for either Olivas or Galarza. This bout should go the distance with the question being; can Olivas’ jab keep Galarza on the outside.

 

 

In the opening bout of the evening, Jordanne Garcia (2-0-1), of Albuquerque, NM faces Karina Mendoza (0-1-0) of El Paso, TX. This is a rematch, with the first bout being very close. Both girls are very strong and anticipate their opponent’s attacks. In their first fight both girls displayed excellent defense, making it difficult for either of them to sustain an effective offense for very long. I know little of Mendoza’s experience, but Garcia had a solid amateur background to go with her undefeated record. At the weigh-in today Garcia looked lean and fit indicating she has worked on her speed. Being the local attraction Garcia probably could have avoided a rematch with a dangerous opponent, but she insisted this is what she wanted.  How does that expression go; be careful what you wish for because. . .