2004: Year in Review
Montoya 'Fighter of the Year'
A solid year of titles and fights

By Chris Cozzone

Year 2004 was good to New Mexico.

With 24 local boxing cards (compared to 15 the year before), promoted by a half dozen promoters, the state saw its heaviest action ever. There were wars galore, lots of upward movement for our prospects, and a motley collection of titles for everyone.

The New Mexico Athletic Commission sanctioned a host of state belts (all but one of ‘em legit); the WBC set up shop for several step-up belts; and the NABA continued to offer their regional titles to several locals.

Still promoting the bulk of the shows, with ten cards, Fresquez Productions, Inc. gave us some of the best fights while boosting their stable of talent up the ladder.

Santa Ana Star Casino returned to the scene to give Fresquez some heavy competition. After two cards, one under KOX, the other under Prize Fight Boxing out of Mississippi, the casino was self-promoting in what many thought was one of the best cards in November.

Isleta returned to boxing, too, hosting two of Fresquez’s cards; as did Sandia, hosting one Fresquez card; but it was a  newcomer to the scene, San Felipe’s Casino Hollywood, that started out the year with two Fresquez cards. As usual, the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colo. hosted several packed shows throughout the year.

Other local promoters gave the scene a much-needed boost with club-level shows: Roswell’s North Star Productions hosted two cards at their usual site; in Las Cruces, Southwest Fight Promotions, put on two shows at the Pan American Center; and, in September, G-Dog Promotions held a card headlining Ray Sanchez III at the Kiva.

With so many El Paso fighters in their stable, it made sense for Fresquez Productions to move into Chuco, with three cards; and, except for one Top Rank card and a Golden Boy Productions show, it would’ve been the only action there.

It was a bad year for New Mexico’s top two fighters, Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero.

Five-time world champion Johnny Tapia (53-4-2, 29 KOs) started out the year swearing but a few more fights, and in March, took on Frankie Archuleta (24-4-1, 14 KOs) on a Fresquez card in Las Vegas.

In the biggest upset of the year, Tapia, a shadow of his former self and ill with the flu, was outhustled by Archuleta, who used the victory to break into the WBC’s top ten ratings.

Tapia was plagued by his usual demons for the rest of the year, but resurfaced in December to announce a comeback fight in January.

Despite his victory, it took until November for Archuleta to return to the ring, but, after squeaking by journeyman Jesus Perez for a lazy decision win, he furthered his progress to the #4 spot and is now looking at a world title shot in early ’05.

A rematch with Tapia is also not out of the question, some time in ‘05.

New Mexico’s other top former champ, Danny Romero, was nowhere to be seen in ’04, due to the failing health of his father, Danny Romero, Sr.

World titles

While we wait for Tapia’s wind-down, a possible return for Romero, and Archuleta’s world title shot, New Mexico’s chances of another world title fell on the women.

On October 20th on a Sky Ute card in Ignacio, Los Lunas’ Jackie Chavez (8-0, 3 KOs) fought Santa Fe’s Jayla Ortiz (12-6-4, 3 KOs) for the vacant IFBA World Super Bantamweight title. After a competitive ten rounds, Chavez was crowned champ by unanimous decision.

Other New Mexicans brought home a dozen other titles—but nobody did as much as one fighter who claims this year’s “New Mexico Boxing Fighter of the Year” honors.

Fighter of the Year

In much the same way as his homey, Johnny Tapia, does, Lee Montoya (8-0, 6 KOs) embodies boxing in New Mexico. He’s overcome adversity that would’ve killed a dozen others; he consistently (and inconsistently) struggles with a drug habit; and he lost six years in prison, when he was in the prime of his athletic life—but the man can sure fight.

This year, he proved it.

With his four fights spaced throughout 2004, the 36-year-old Montoya started out the year with a ridiculously easy fight—another first round knockout over a trained-to-lose opponent; a ho-hum repeat of his previous four fights. 

But in his next bout, the junior welterweight stepped up big, taking on the bigger, more experienced “Mad” Max Heyman (19-7-3, 10 KOs) for the state middleweight belt—and on less than a week’s notice.

Montoya proved low on stamina, but huge of heart; well enough that he beat Heyman by split decision in one of the best fights of the year.

In his next bout, Montoya, again not as conditioned as he should be, took on Jeremiah Torres (6-7, 1 KO) when, with half a minute left in their scheduled six-rounder, with the scorecards tilting toward Torres, Montoya landed a murderous right hand that flattened Torres for the count.

Finally, in November, Montoya stepped up yet again to fight El Paso’s Bernardo Guereca (12-3-1, 2 KOs) for the WBA Fed Latin belt. Guereca was no match for Montoya, who put him on the canvas four times. Guereca was able to survive, and, at times, fight back, only to lose a 12-round decision.

Close runners-up, in no particular order, include:

• Female Fighter of the Year: Jackie Chavez, who brought home the IFBA World Super Bantamweight world title after defeating Jayla Ortiz in October. Definitely our ‘New Mexico Female Fighter of the Year.”
• El Paso Fighter of the Year: Cesar Lopez (15-1, 4 KOs) of El Paso, who earned state belts in NM and Texas, as well as, both, the NABA Super Flyweight and Flyweight belts. Lopez opened up the year with a thriller against Bryan Garcia, avenged his sole loss to Fidencio Reyes in July, and closed the year by defeating his toughest foe yet, Alejandro Moreno, in December.
• Ray Sanchez III (13-1, 10 KOs), who picked up the WBC Latino Welterweight and the WBC World Youth belt, fighting four times and drawing big crowds.
• David Martinez (12-0-1, 2 KOs), who returned to Albuquerque with the California State Super Flyweight belt, then defeated Alex Becerra for the WBC World Youth Superflyweight belt. Martinez fought four times in ’04, defeating top quality veterans, with one draw against Ruben Contreras.
• Frankie Archuleta, who defeated Johnny Tapia in March, then picked up the WBC Latino Featherweight belt in November.

Prospects go up, prospects go down

Max Heyman came off his loss to Montoya with a tune-up win, then a notable stoppage over an unenthusiastic Joseph Brady (13-2, 6 KOs) for the state supermiddleweight title. But in December, he fell from grace by retiring on his stool against Darrell Woods (22-9, 16 KOs) for a step-up IBA belt.

Joseph Brady had a rotten year, ballooning up to 190 pounds and fighting just once—the loss to Heyman at a pudgy 168 pounds.

Shawn Gallegos (13-1, 6 KOs) fought four times, winning them all but never making it out of the state level, outboxing lower level opposition.

Tommy Aragon (8-8-1, 5 KOs) fought all three of his fights out-of-state in Colorado, upsetting Russell Jones and losing twice to Donald Camarena by knockout.

Victor Barela (7-0-1, 2 KOs) returned after a year’s layoff in July, fighting Carlos Alvarado twice, once to a draw, the other to a decision win.

Jason Cordova (3-0-1, 3 KOs) showed his mettle by stopping two tough opponents, then leaping up to heavyweight to challenge Keith Jardine for the state belt—a thrilling fight that resulted in a draw.

Jeremy De Los Santos (4-1, 2 KOs) jumped up in opposition, decisioning Juan Aranday. In his last outing, however, he was stopped by Steve Valdez.

Bryan Garcia (7-10, 2 KOs) continued to prove one of New Mexico’s most exciting fighters, whether he wins or loses. In January, he nearly upset Cesar Lopez, losing by split decision; in May, he did upset, beating formerly undefeated Jesus Cerda in Laredo, Texas; two weeks later, he was stopped by Ivan Hernandez (now one of the bantam world champs); and in October, was destroyed by Antonio Escalante in El Paso.

Keith Jardine (3-0-1, 1 KO) cleaned up the local heavyweight scene, beating two Colorado prospects, then drawing with Jason Cordova.

Rudy Lovato (20-30-4, 6 KOs) was 1-3-1 on the road, beating Jeff Carpenter in Tacoma and losing decisions to top prospects from Chicago to St. Paul.

Hector Munoz (9-1, 6 KOs) continued to improve but was squashed in his only step-up fight—a first round stoppage to Bernard Guereca for the state welter belt. After a strong return, beating an unenthusiastic Al Salinas, he fought the ancient Benjie Garcia for the state jr. middle belt, winning by a 5th round TKO.

Jeremiah Torres (6-7, 1 KO) gave us some of our most exciting fights, losing most of ‘em (to Guereca, Montoya and the little known Omar Candelaria) but  bouncing back in December with a solid win over Stevie Marquez.

Tony Valdez (5-2, 5 KOs) was destroyed in his only fight- a TKO loss to Ruben Contreras in May.

Fernando Yguado (5-5, 5 KOs) lost his only fight, a 3rd round TKO to Bernard Guereca.

Joaquin Zamora (5-2-1, 4 KOs) had a strong showing, after his tech. draw with Bobby Joe Valdez, stopping Joe Hernandez in June, then taking on Elco Garcia in November for a minor title, in which he lost by 6th round TKO but not without revealing a tremendous heart.

Jose Ramirez (10-9, 6 KOs) came out of retirement to fight once in Denver: a majority decision over Barry Basler.

Jaime Gonzalez (1-6, 1 KO) started out the year with a devastating first round KO over Andre King, then lost three in a row.

Colbert Losoya (4-5) was up and down, first losing by KO to Steve Marquez, then winning two in a row, over Sergio Santana and Oscar Castillo. He was TKO’d in his final fight of ’04, in Tucson.

John Sanchez (0-3) fought twice, losing twice.

Al Salinas (3-3-1, 3 KOs) had an uninspiring draw with Stevie Marquez in April, then an uninspiring loss to Vicente Garcia in May; followed by an even more uninspiring loss to Hector Munoz in August.

Jason Bray (5-0, 2 KOs) started out the year challenging Gustavo Enriquez for the light heavyweight state belt, although it was declared a No Contest. After that, Bray went M.I.A.

‘Picosito’ heads the pack of pro debuters

In the young guns category, Albuquerque’s Vicente “El Picosito” Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs) takes home top honors for NM’s top pro debuter, especially with his devastating knockout over durable Calvin Pitts (3-3, 1 KO) in September.

Bloomfield’s Joseph Gomez (4-0, 1 KO) also showed his mettle, weathering a first round knockdown by Steve Marquez (5-4-1, 4 KOs) to come back with a strong decision win.

In the female division, three notables made impressive showings: MonicaLovato (2-1), CrystalHickerson (2-0, 1 KO), and VictoriaCisneros (3-1), 

Other pro debuters this year include: Leanne Villareal (1-3-1); Joseph Barela (2-1), Joey Brixx (0-1),  Rene Armijo (2-1), Carlos Madrid (2-0), Carlos Tapia (3-0) and Sergio Santana (0-1); Albert Jimenez (1-0).

Female action

While IFBA world champ Jackie Chavez finishes the year at the top of the food chain, several other New Mexico female fought their way to within striking distance of a world title:

Holly Holm (8-1-2, 3 KOs) suffered her first pro loss in ’04, but regained her impetus with an impressive win over Terri Blair in December for the vacant Women’s IBA Jr. Welter belt. She remains our biggest female draw.

Cross-town rival Stephanie Jaramillo (4-2-1, 2 KOs) put it all on the line in December by taking on WIBA Jr. Welter champ Sumya Anani (24-1-1) for her world title but lost a lop-sided ten-round decision in Kansas City, Missouri.

Yvonne Chavez (3-4, 2 KOs) had a bumpy year. She was stopped by contender Mariana Juarez in April; then bounced back with a solid win over Valeria Flores in August; but finished the year in a punishing loss against Elena Reid in November.

Former champ Delia Gonzalez (13-10-4, 3 KOs) fought but once, a majority draw with Johanna Pena in May.

Jayla Ortiz made a huge comeback in ’04, fighting her way back to contention, though losing to Jackie Chavez in a word title fight in October.

Pro debuters Monica Lovato, Crystal Hickerson and VictoriaCisneros all made a splash in ’04. Lovato defeated 5-1 Valeria Flores; Cisneros pounded on Angie Poe in October; and Hickerson stopped Cisneros in the summer.

El Paso action

Top El Paso fighter Juan Lazcano (33-3-1, 25 KOs) fell short in his shot for a world title in June when he was soundly beaten by champ Jose Luis Castillo for the WBC belt.

Several other fighters from Chuco made up for Lazcano’s loss, winning several titles and getting ranked.

Cesar “El Gallito” Lopez (see mention above) made a name for himself in the 112-115 pound divisions.

Alex “El Diablo” Becerra (16-3, 7 KOs) picked up the NABA Super Flyweight belt in December over Valentin Leon, making a successful return after his loss to David Martinez. Becerra also KO’d previously unbeaten Columbian Felix Flores in March.

Bernardo Guereca (11-5-1, 2 KOs) made a name for himself in New Mexico, beating three local fighters before meeting up with Lee Montoya.

David Rodriguez (17-0, 17 KOs) fought all the usual suspects, picking up state belts in TX and NM, and finished the year as a #16 NABF contender.

Adan Hernandez (14-3, 5 KOs) fought twice, losing to Ivan Vallle after his eye closed, and, then, in Juarez, a comeback tuner.

Rene Armijo (2-1) made his pro debut in Albuquerque as a welter, then jumped up to 175 when he made the team for Oscar De La Hoya’s reality boxing show.

Carlos Tapia (3-0, 2 KOs) is the El Paso Pro Debuter of the Year. The light heavyweight powerhouse fought three times in ’04.

Bobby Joe Valdez (9-2-1, 4 KOs)  made a huge comeback in ’04. Valdez gets my ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award for his always-wild and aggressive fights. He had a technical draw with Joaquin Zamora (an early stoppage that had Valdez on his way to winning), two wars with Fray Sierra and an awful match with Juan Salazar—a fight that should’ve earned Valdez an Oscar rather than a win.

Antonio Escalante (5-1, 4 KOs) may be the next big thing out of El Paso. In ’04, he was 2-1, losing a controversial decision to Jario Sanchez in Fort Worth and finishing the year with a devastating knockout of Bryan Garcia.

Jacob Gomez (9-12-3) fought twice, decisioning Jaime Gonzalez, then losing a close fight to Shawn Gallegos in October. Gomez retired after his bout with Gallegos.

M.I.A.

One of our most promising prospects, super middleweight Jason Bray fought once, then disappeared.

Former IFBA Bantamweight champ Adriano Delgado did not fight at all.

A couple of last year’s M.I.A.’s did return to action—Jose Ramirez and Adriano Sanchez—in out-of-state fights, but only fought once. Ramirez won, Sanchez did not.