Alan Sanchez continues to prove the naysayers wrong

I remember the first time I saw Alan Sanchez in a boxing match 12 years ago.

Sanchez was fighting undefeated John Ryan Grimaldo at the Sports Center in Fairfield, CA.  

Grimaldo was the third undefeated fighter he had boxed in two years. Sanchez had been victorious in six of his

nine fights. 

Sanchez beat up Grimaldo for eight rounds, knocking him down twice. The undefeated favorite looked shell-shocked. He likely had underestimated Sanchez. 

"It (being underestimated) motivates me," said Sanchez via Facebook a few weeks ago. 

In his 16th professional fight, Sanchez met world title challenger Luis Collazo. He lost the battle but gained respect.

In 2014, he knocked out undefeated prospect Jose Luis Ramirez Jr. 

Two years later, he met another world title challenger, Pablo Cesar Cano. Cano has been in the ring with former champions Paulie Malignaggi and Shane Mosely. Cano was prepping for another run at a title. His fight with Sanchez was viewed by many as a mere tune-up.

Sanchez didn’t get the memo. He outworked Cano over 10, winning the fight. 

Two fights and two losses in 2018 and 19 suggested the plucky kid from Fairfield might need to reconsider his options. 

Not so fast. 

In 2022, Sanchez faced another undefeated fighter, Saul Bustos, trained by future Hall of Famer Freddie Roach. Underdog Sanchez (3-1) outfought Bustos over ten exciting rounds, winning the fight by split decision. 

He then traveled to Dallas, TX to fight, yep, unbeaten Angel Beltran Villa. You know the drill. 

Sanchez prevailed again. Could the now 32-year-old fighter be getting better with age? 

"Maybe," said Sanchez." I just know I have more experience."

That and an enormous heart. 

Now, Sanchez awaits his next opportunity in the welterweight division. A few things are a given.

His opponent will be undefeated and favored, but he’d be foolish to underrate Alan Sanchez.