New Mexico Regional Awards, 2018

By Andy Rivera. The year of 2018 was a good one for boxing in the New Mexico region, the fans are still clamoring for the next Johnny Tapia or Danny Romero, a few made strides in the right direction by taking chances to showcase their skills so in time we may find out if one will shine.

It’s that time of year to name the recipients of our Regional boxing awards as we look back to 2018 and forward to 2019.

BOB FOSTER CO-FIGHTERS OF THE YEAR – ANGELO LEO AND JASON SANCHEZ

Angelo Leo took a chance two years ago moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to see if he could catch the eye of someone in the boxing capital of the world to progress his career. Leo may have hit the jackpot when he started showing up and training at the Floyd Mayweather Gym, Mayweather saw potential in Leo and since he has gone 5-0 and signing a promotional contract with Mayweather Promotions.

In 2018 Leo stepped up competition each time out going 4-0 (1ko) against opponents with a combined record of 76-22, something unheard of in this day and age of fighting cream puffs in order to pad a record, only to not be prepared for the next level. Leo has been doing it right in raising his overall record to 15-0 (8kos). For this Leo is our co-fighter of the year for taking a chance to show IF he has the goods or not, so far he does.

Other media outlets picked Jason Sanchez as fighter of the year, having traveled to Panama in October and winning the WBO “Youth” Title, capturing a 10 round decision over former unbeaten Jean Carlos Rivera. Sanchez 13-0 (6kos), like Leo took a chance to step up his career and went in as the opponent against Rivera, but left with a minor title and a 4 year contract with Top Rank.

Both Leo and Sanchez deserve the award, so why not share the honor.

JOHNNY TAPIA FIGHT OF THE YEAR AWARD- JOSH TORRES VS CRISTIAN CABRAL

The Torres/Cabral fight wasn’t toe to toe war as most fights that win fight of year are, but for sheer crosstown rivalry and crowd pleasure it was New Mexico’s top fight. Cabral 8-2-1 (4kos) had his moments early against Torres, but it was Torres 19-6 (11kos), who was the superior fighter period in halting Cabral in the 7^th round back June of 2018.

HECTOR MUNOZ I’LL FIGHT ANYONE AWARD- DEREK PEREZ

Derek Perez 3-9-1 (3kos) will fight anyone anytime, he fought in 3 different arenas of combat sports in 2018 MMA, Bare knuckle fighting and boxing, winning some and losing some, Perez went 2-1 in boxing in 2018. Derek’s brother Gene won the award previously as the fighting Perez brothers continue to take on all comers.

LENNY FRESQUEZ FIGHTER PROMOTER OF THE YEAR AWARD-LEGACY PROMOTIONS

For the second time in three years Legacy Promotions headed by brothers Jordan and Aaron have been New Mexico’s top promoters, they continue to put on fight cards and keep New Mexico fighters busy. In 2018 Legacy put on 4 fight cards in showcasing the likes of Josh Torres, Jason Sanchez and Aaron Perez to name a few.

Legacy’s fights are more competitive than other promoters in New Mexico and deserve recognition for that, they have done a tremendous job in always being organized. The only drawback I can say is SecondsOut/Maxboxing don’t get many media releases for fight cards and have to reach out to get the lineups, it’s getting better and I would hope they want major worldwide coverage from two of the top boxing websites in the world for their fighters.

DAN CISNEROS COMEBACK FIGHTER OF THE YEAR –WILLIE VILLANUEVA

Villanueva returned to the ring after six years away from the squared circle, he dropped 45 pounds and got in tremendous shape defeating Ricardo Fernandez this past October, with the win Villanueva 11-5-1 (2kos) has put himself in line to battle unbeaten welterweight Matthew Esquibel in 2019.

SANDY PINO SERVICE TO BOXING AWARD-STEVE GARCIA

Having been a pro/amateur coach for 24 years, Garcia has served for USA President for New Mexico the last four years. The thing that stands out with Garcia is that he doesn’t have any of his own children in the amateur ranks anymore yet he continues to volunteer his time as President of USA Boxing and runs the Power and Glory Boxing Team. Garcia also shows he does it for the kids by paying out of his own pocket for less fortunate children, who can’t pay for the gym they train out of. In a time when some trainers do it only for money and never giving back to the kids, Garcia exemplifies what the late Sandy Pino stood for, giving back.