By Austin Killeen

If you like drama there is nothing better than the sport of boxing. Just ask Fidel Maldonado Jr. who has been near the top and plummeted to the bottom in the sport. Tonight he will face a young gun slinger who has come to Albuquerque to steal the “Atrisco Kid’s” reputation. Adding Maldonado’s name to his victim’s list will get Johnny Rodriguez some nice paydays. I don’t know Mr. Rodriguez personally, but I’m sure he’s probably a very nice young man. In his last three fights Maldonado scored the biggest win of his career, got destroyed in his next fight and won an uninspiring decision win in his last bout. I’m certain that Rodriguez is aware of Maldonado’s recent history and that’s why he has traveled to the “Duke City” for tonight’s fight. I know Fidel Maldonado as a devoted family man so if that makes me biased so be it. I hope Maldonado can find the path to victory tonight, but if he can’t I’ll report the success of Johnny Rodriguez; because the visitor from Colorado will deserve nothing less.

Fidel “Atrisco Kid” Maldonado (24-4-1, 19 KO’s) 138.2 lbs., of Albuquerque will face Johnny “The Punisher” Rodriquez (9-3-1, 6 KO’s) 139.4 lbs., of Westminster, CO., in the main event. In thirteen fights “The Punisher” has never been stopped, while he has put the lights out on two thirds of his victims. He hasn’t come to Albuquerque to score a moral victory; he wants to destroy the local hero. In his last fight Maldonado showed good reflexes and sharp counter punching, but took absolutely no chances on offense. That will not be enough if he hopes to be victorious against the hungry gun slinger from north of the border.

 

 

Jordanne “OMG” Garcia (3-0-1) 155.6 lbs., of Albuquerque will face Karina Mendoza (0-2-1) 153 lbs., of El Paso, Texas in a six rounder. This will be the third fight between two solid competitors. Their first fight was a hard fought draw, while Garcia used a two handed attack to outscore Mendoza who relied mostly on powerful overhand rights. Mendoza was highly motivated at yesterday’s weigh-ins, which makes me think Garcia will need a few more tricks to remain undefeated tonight.

 

 

 

The remaining fights are scheduled for four rounds.

 

Bryant McClain (4-1-2, 1 KO) 167.8 lbs., of Rio Rancho, NM will face Oliver Parker (0-1-0) 168.8 lbs., of Albuquerque. McClain is coming back after suffering his first defeat in his last fight. He showed me more in that loss than he did in all his wins. Dropped three times in the first two rounds, I never thought that McClain would be able to finish the fight. Not only did he prove me wrong, he actually won the final round. I saw Parker in his pro debut when he lost a hard fought split decision.

 

 

Debuting Clinton Chavez 152.4 lbs., of Albuquerque will face Jimmy Archuleta (0-1-0) 149.8 lbs., of Albuquerque. I’ve seen Chavez fight many times in the amateurs and he is well schooled. Long and rangy he has a good chin, power in both hands and well conditioned. I witnessed Archuleta’s pro debut and he looked ok until he walked into a bomb. That can happen to anybody, I think Archuleta is capable of doing better in his second pro fight.

 

 

 

In a matchup of debuting flyweights, Santiago Giron 109.4 lbs, of Albuquerque will face Gabe Vigil 113 lbs., of Santa Fe, NM. I’ve seen Giron many times in the amateurs and he reminds me of a Hispanic Willie Pep. This young man has some slick moves and scores off a nice left jab. I’m told that the older Vigil also has a solid background in the amateurs, which leads me to believe this could be a good fight.