Story by Chris Cozzone
Photo courtesy of Edgar Zubia

In a century of fight cards, Hobbs, New Mexico has never had a successful professional fighter. It’s barely had a fight scene, flourishing briefly in the late ‘30s and, then again, in the late ‘50s.

All that may be about to change.

Headlining the second pro fight card to be held in Hobbs in half a century, amateur standout Edgar Zubia will make his pro debut this Saturday on a throwback card stacked with southeastern New Mexico talent.

The card, a first-timer for Isidro Castillo and his promotional company, School of Hard Knocks, features nine bouts – all four-rounders – this Saturday at Club La Sierra, downtown Hobbs.

“It’s finally time to take the next step,” says the 24-year-old Zubia. “After 90 fights, it’s time – my body is physically matured and I have the experience I need to make the next level.”

As an amateur, Zubia, fighting at 141 pounds, was 73-17, winning seven state titles, five regional and competing in five national tournaments, getting as far as quarter-finals one year in National Golden Gloves.

“I’ve competed against the best in national tournaments,” says Zubia. “Now, it’s time to see what I can do as a pro.

“What better place to do it, than my own backyard, where I started 13 years ago?”

Zubia got into boxing because his uncles and cousins had fought. The most successful Zubia was Humberto, who fought out of Midland, Tex., from 1997 to 2002, retiring with a record of 11-4-1, 4 KOs.

“I’d see all the trophies at my grandma’s house and it became something I wanted to do,” says Zubia. “My mom didn’t want me to do it, at first. I told her, ‘Hey, I’ gonna fight, I’m gonna box.’ She said, ‘You’re crazy, you’re on your own.’”

After a couple months of training, Zubia hooked up with trainer Isidro Castillo, who set up a makeshift gym in his backyard.

“I took it seriously and fought my first amateur fight two months later,” recalls Zubia. “I’ve never turned back.”

Neither did Zubia’s mom. Eventually she gave in and, nowadays, she can be found at ringside, shouting directions and encouragement to her son.

“She’s really nervous and has mixed emotions about turning pro,” Zubia admits. “’Now it’s gonna be different,’ she tells me.”

Zubia shares his mother’s nervousness, but only because he’s headlining Saturday’s show.

“There’s that added pressure,” he says. “But that same pressure can be turned into motivation. I think I fight better with pressure.”

If all goes well, Zubia will fight his second and third fight on Aug. 6 in Los Lunas, then Aug. 21 in Clovis – all on Hard Knocks cards already lined up for those dates and sites.

That is, if he gets by his opponent, John Herrera, of Roswell.

“He’s a really defensive fighter,” says Zubia. “I know him from the amateurs. He’s been around quite a bit, has maybe 40 amateur bouts, but I’ve never fought him.

“I just hopes he comes to fight. The fans don’t pay to see someone wearing ear muffs all night. Maybe once he gets in front of the crowd, we might see a different side to John.”

Zubia describes himself as a boxer who “likes to box and not get hit,” but admits that once he does taste leather, he goes to war.

“When I get hit, the Mexican comes out,” he says. “Part of it is the crowd – you have to give the fans what they want to see. That’s what eggs me on.”

When not training or fighting, Zubia works for Windstream Communication as a cable splicer. He’s also a father of two, and lives with his girlfriend.

“Work and family have been very supportive of me,” says Zubia. “It’s helped, because this is something I would, ultimately, love to do 24/7.”