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Arizona Boxing News & Notes with Don Smith: Martinez Wins Gold, Iron Boy 32, News & Notes By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Sat, 16 Jan 2016  Boxing Fans, 17 year old Phoenix, Arizona Boxer Fernando Martinez Jr won a coveted Gold Medal (114 lb. division) at the recently concluded 2016 Youth & Junior National Tournament held in Reno Nevada. His Uncle, Steven Fernandez was elated over the news and said the Gold Medal win was the best birthday gift his talented nephew could ever give him. Uncle Steven celebrated his birthday on January 10, one day after the Coronado High School student defeated California contender Santos Ortega (2-1) who collected Silver with his second place finish. It hasn?t been confirmed; but ABNN don?t believe the medal, or any part of it, resides with Uncle Steven; nice try! Fernando is coached by Juan Mendoza; they first teamed up when the future champion was ready to blowout 9 candles on his birthday cake. Until last year Mendoza and Martinez trained at Fuentes Boxing Club but Coach Mendoza wanted to dedicate more time to his prized pupil so the mentoring began a new training phase at the Mendoza family home in East Phoenix. Mendoza Boxing soon outgrew the backyard set up and eventually the coach & student would wave Sayonara to the limited outdoor facility and move to J & C Boxing off Thomas Road & 28th Street in Phoenix, Arizona. J & C Boxing partner Abel Cortes welcomed the two boxing gym rats with open arms and the addition of the mentor ad pupil was a very good move for all concerned. Martinez works out daily Monday-Friday and the next mission is to be ready for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Mendoza and Martinez aren?t fazed or intimidated by the consensus of opinion that an American Boxer stands a slightly better chance of winning a chunk of change from a Power Ball drawing than getting a fair shake from capricious judges in Olympic boxing competition. The quick hitting Martinez hopes to prove the conceived notion wrong by winning a Medal, Gold is his favorite color, and launching a professional career after he steps off the Olympic podium in Tokyo. His parents: Melissa and Fernando Sr. are a 100% behind their son and they don?t regret the personal sacrifices they made to afford him an opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming an Olympian. He is lucky to have them in his corner. Coach Mendoza (a fulltime employee at Fry?s Food Market) and his pupil are quite a tandem, together they have celebrated winning approximately 20 championship belts, 50 trophies and 15-20 boxing medals. During his tenure as an amateur, Fernando has recorded 94 wins while suffering a mere 12 defeats. He is currently ranked #1 in his weight division (114 lbs.) and bracket. If he wasn?t so modest, he would proudly boast that he has won the prestigious Gene Lewis Tournament 3 times, 2 times Copper Glove Champion, 4 times Arizona State Silver Gloves Champion, 2015 State and Regional Golden Gloves Champion. ABNN received news of his impressive boxing credentials from his mother. During my past conversations with Fernando, he never overworked the usage of the pronoun I; he is a very humble young man who lets his lightning quick fists do the talking. Winning the National in Reno has qualified him for a spot on the 2016 USA World Championship Team. He will train in Colorado Springs Colorado for 3 months and then head to Russia to compete in an all-important International Tournament. It a forthcoming test will test his heart and skills and maturity; it is doubtful that any member of his personal team will make the trip. ABNN wishes him luck and we sincerely hope the Arizona boxing community supports his pugilistic journey to potential stardom. Martinez was one of six Arizona amateur boxers to compete in the Junior and Youth Nationals Tournament in Reno; here is the results for the other AZ boxers in the single elimination tournament: Breenan Macias (F-1 Academy) fighting out of Goodyear Arizona lost to Eduardo Sanchez-Amab (Nevada) 3-0, Phoenix boxer Brian Velasquez (Knockout Boxing Club) lost to Californian Sean Garcia 3-0, Armando Chavez (unattached) fighting out of Phoenix lost to Christian Avalos (Nevada) 2-1, Gabriel Quijada (Knockout Boxing Club) fighting out of Phoenix lost to Victor Morales (Ore.) 3-0 after winning his first two fights, Alfredo Escarcega Jr. (F-1 Academy) fighting out of Buckeye Arizona lost to Texan Alejandro Guerreo 3-2. A special salute to the following Arizona coaches for their contribution to amateur boxing in Arizona: Richard Macias (F-1 Academy), Juan Mendoza (Mendoza Boxing), Andrew Soto (Knockout Boxing Club) and Alfredo Escarcega Sr. Iron Boy 32: Oh, how time flies! On 2/20/2016, Iron Boy Promotions will present its 32nd show at the Celebrity Theatre with a major assist from co-producer Top Rank Boxing. The 20th falls on Saturday and the weigh-in will be held on Friday 2/19 at a location and time that will be revealed soon. Other details including ticket prices and additions to the card will be released in the near future.. Here are the names of some of the fighters expected to perform on the card and we have include their ring records and respective weight divisions. All bouts are subject to change and updates will be forwarded ASAP! Special thanks to publicist Emily Pandelakis for forwarding the following list of fighters expected to fight on the card: Jessie Magdaleno: 24 year old Southpaw super Bantamweight (22-0-16 knockouts) with a lot of upside; scheduled to meet Edward Mansito 13-3-2 for 10 rounds, arrive early! Magdaleno is a legitimate title contender. Esquiva Falcao Florentino: A hard punching middleweight from Brazil with a record of 12-0-9 knockouts. Number of rounds and name of opponent is forthcoming. Luis Espinoza: A young featherweight (1-0) who won his debut fight on the ?Homecoming? Card in Tucson against Five Time World Champion Michael Carbajal?s fighter, Johnny Tijerina in an entertaining bout according to fans who contacted ABNN. Jose Rodriguez Herrera: 21 year old super bantamweight 3-0 record has skills; but needs to learn to pace himself and work on his head movement-could be a good prospect if he stays focused. He is also known as Junior Rodriguez; no explanation! Trevor McCumby: 23 year old light heavyweight contender (WBO #9) with impressive 21-0-16 knockout record and power to burn. McCumby is a keeper. Francisco C De Vaca: is an undefeated (13-0) featherweight who has quick hands and isn?t afraid to mix it up. He is very popular in Arizona and should be ready for at least minor title shot by the fall of 2016. ABNN would like see the likeable prospect has, according to one source, a fight in California before his TBD contest at the Celebrity Theatre. Carlos Castro: is a 21 year old super bantamweight known as ?The Chosen One?. If box-rec is correct his chosen opponent is 23 year old Rafael Reyes (17-5-13 knockouts). Castro, 14-0 w/ 6 knockouts, has shown more poise and confidence in recent fights and Reyes could be a very good test for him. Luis Olivares: is a 23 year old super lightweight (9-0-6 knockouts) with power and poise-needs to stay healthy and fight more frequently; better competition might accelerate his chances for a title shot. Paul Romero: fights out of Phoenix (Hammer Gym)and has the quirky nickname of ?Ziggy.? His record is 6-0-1 and Romero is a good boxer with questionable power. He needs to find better opponents and upgrade his conditioning. Also, he needs to fight more often and get away from Arizona home cooking. Matchmaker Update: A recent influx of ?legal? Boxing Matchmakers in Arizona makes me wonder if I shouldn?t apply for a license; just kidding of course. When I started depositing ABNN online, there were only two (to my knowledge) matchmakers actively matchmaking in the State of Arizona: Roger Woods & Mike Sanchez! As for 2016, Richard Chou and Jeff Wright are currently registered while the paperwork of others is being considered. Boxing publicist Emily Pandelakis told ABNN she plans to add an Arizona Matchmaker license in 2016 to the one she secured in New Mexico, recently. Amanda Jacinto, PIO with the Arizona Gaming Department, forwarded the list of 2014 licensed matchmakers to ABNN and the list included 11 names of people who held matchmaking credentials. What happened to the 2015 list of Arizona is a good question. Peter McKinn III was listed as a 2014 licensed matchmaker and the inclusion of his name led me to ask if McKinn III is related to Peter McKinn, former boxing promoter, convicted of forgery, theft and check fraud a few years ago. He served his time, paid monetary restitution; but Mr. Peter McKinn is forbidden to work as a boxing promoter or matchmaker unless his felony conviction is lowered to a misdemeanor. He won?t be eligible for that course of legal action until at least 2017. We will forward answer if and when we find out. News & Notes: USA Boxing Arizona Presidential candidate Mike Sanchez can?t vote for himself in the upcoming online election (1/7-1/17) due to a membership rule requiring member clubs to have a minimum of five registered fighters; Mike?s club has only 4 and that rule isn?t sitting well with Sanchez supporters; online voting ends on January 17?.. Mexican Bantamweight Juan Carlos Benavidez (5-6-1) fights in California on January 29. Juan lost a controversial bout to Emilio Garcia a few months back at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix. Juan is a better fighter than his record indicates ?? David Benavidez is in LA getting ready for his 1/19 fight with Kevin Cobbs and World Champion brother Jose Jr. is there staying in condition and trying to land a big fight?Carlos Castro continues to train in downtown Phoenix at the Benavidez Gym for his 2/20 bout on the Celebrity Theatre card?..Cliff Jordan (Hammer Gym) is mentioned as possibility for the Iron Boy 32 Card at the Celebrity Theatre; there is no quit in Jordan?.. Trainer George Garcia Sr. is working with MMA 2015 prospect of the year James Nakasashima (5-0) and the young man can box, I watched him in a pair of amateur bouts and he is tough with a capital T. Mentor and student will be in Utah next month; more details in next column?12 year old 132 lb. boxer Elijah Garcia is headed to the Silver Glove National Tournament in Kansas City on 2/3. Elijah is the son of former boxer George Garcia aka Georgie and dad will work his kid?s corner at the event?voting in the USA Boxing election ends on Sunday 1/17, better hurry! More Inside Dope: Featherweight Edward Ceballos and middleweight Andrew ?Hurricane? Hernandez have been added to the ?Warfare: The Battles Begin? Show at Valentino?s in Phoenix according to calls from boxing insiders. Hernandez will headline and defend his title belt; more details in next ABNN column.?.Abel Ramos is expected to return to action in March after his KO loss in Houston?.Fight Hard Promotions tickets for 2/6 show are available through Ticketmaster, online and at Valentino?s Event Center, Indian School Road and 43rd Avenue in Phoenix.. ?Phoenix Native David Courtney makes his boxing debut vs. fellow newcomer Carlos Cordova on the Casino Del Sol Resort show, Friday 1/22 in Tucson. Veteran trainer Tom Garcia will be working his corner. ABNN talked to Courtney recently and the result of our two conversations will be carried in our next column as well as an update on the Tucson card. One of our readers wants to know why the Arizona Boxing Commission isn?t posting the Roy Jones Jr. Promoted show on the Commission website and the reason is very simple, the Casino is situated on sovereign land and the Governing body ( Pascua Yaqui Tribe) voted to create their own Boxing commission. Serial Shooter: Francesco Ficarra, Arrow Media, called me recently from London, England to gather more background information on Dale Hausner, the convicted serial killer who committed suicide in his Federal Prison Cell on Wednesday June 19, 2013. Dubbed the Phoenix Serial killer by the press, Hausner was serving six life sentences for killing 6 people and wounding 19 others. Ficarra and his filmmaking colleagues are putting the final touches on ?Recreational Violence? a documentary to be aired on the Discovery Channel sometime in 2016. The project will focus on the personality of Hausner and try to conclude what motivated the former boxing photographer and internet talk show host to murder six strangers and injure numerous other victims. Hausner?s roommate (Samuel Dietman) a co-conspirator received a life sentence without parole after turning states evidence while Jeff Hausner (Dale?s brother) was sentenced to 18 years for his role in the bizarre murders. A third brother, Randy Hausner was questioned until authorities came to the conclusion that he was innocent of any wrongdoing. ABNN gave Francesco several names of people who knew Hausner well. He interviewed several Hausner acquaintances including retired Arizona boxer Elena ?Baby Doll? Reid? ABNN will continue to cooperate with the makers of the documentary and we will stay on stop of any new developments such as completion and airing date. Until Next Time! Photo: Arizona Boxer Fernando Martinez jr. and Coach Juan Mendoza celebrate Gold Medal won at Nationals Tournament. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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