Alvarado, Sanchez on separate “Collision Courses”

Press conferene report by Chris Cozzone & Natasha Chornesky
Photos by Cozzone

In their first Telefutura-televised card of the year, for Albuquerque, Top Rank is pulling no punches, this Friday night at Isleta Resort & Casino.

Headlining two ten-rounders, a sixer and five four-round bouts, “Collision Course” features undefeated Denverite Mike Alvarado, in a make-or-break fight against once-lost Michele Rosales, Albuquerque’s Ray Sanchez III, who is seeking a get-back win after losing to Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., in December, and a handful of promising youngsters.

“I’m ready to show the world I’m ready,” stated Mike Alvarado, at today’s press conference.

“It’s going to be my toughest fight, but I’m ready for this.”

Alvarado, undefeated at 20-0, 13 KOs, will be taking on Michele Rosales, 20-1, 18 KOs, of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Rosales has but one loss—by TKO to Jesus Soto-Karass in October 2006. Since the loss, he’s been on a four-bout winning streak.

“It’s a tough fight, but I’m excited for what will happen in the ring,” says Rosales.

Sharing the billing with Alvarado will be Albuquerque welterweight Ray Sanchez III, who, at 20-2, 15 KOs, is coming off a sixth-round TKO loss to undefeated son of legend, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

“My last fight was real tough, and I came out on the short end of the stick,” admits Sanchez. “But I’m ready for this tough fight.”

Also a ten-rounder, Sanchez will face Patrick Thompson, 14-12-1, 5 KOs, of Lincoln, Neb.

“Thompson comes to fight,” says Sanchez. “We’ve both come to win. Top Rank wants to see how I bounce back from a loss. I’m hoping for a rematch with Chavez, Jr., but this fight comes first.”

Thompson is coming off a win in Denver, but has a near .500 record, all from fighting name opponents.

“The old trial horse is back,” Thompson said today. “I’m to be another test for another young prospect.

“But that’s okay—anyone who’s seen me, knows I come to fight. He’ll have his hands full Friday night because I’m 100% upset-minded.”

Scheduled for the undercard:

• 6 rounds, lightweight: Oxnard boxer Javier Garcia (3-0-1, 3 KOs) vs. Mike Peralta (3-2, 1 KO), of Carson City, Nev.

• 4 rounds, welterweight: Los Angeles’ Demetrio Soto (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. George Garcia (1-1-1, 1 KO), of Cheyenne, Wyom.

• 4 rounds, featherweight: Roberto Marroquin (2-0, 2 KOs), of Dallas, Tex., vs. Allen Martinez (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Michoacan, Mexico

• 4 rounds, bantamweight: Las Cruces, N.M.’s Sammy DiPace (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Puerto Rico's Wilmer Suarez (1-2, 1 KO)

• 4 rounds, featherweight: Mexico’s Marco Lopez (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Albuquerque's Scott Furney (2-3-1, 1 KO)

• 4 rounds, featherweight: Denver’s Ricky Lopez will debut against Chicago's Nick Arellano (1-3).