ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque’s Jason Sanchez was once the WBO youth featherweight champion and was ranked in the boxing world. After recent losses, including the first knockout loss of his career, Sanchez is ready to prove his early career success was no fluke.
Sanchez (16-5) is scheduled to play in Saturday's game. Put on the gloves and the grudge will disappear But a last-minute injury to his opponent on a card at the Ysleta Resort and Casino changed that, and now he's set to face El Paso's Abel Mendoza (40-0) in an exhibition bout.
“I'm ready to get back in the ring. I know it's just an exhibition, but it's a real fight,” Sanchez said. “He's a strong guy, he's going to come forward and attack. He's going to step in the ring and give it his all, and so am I. I'm not wearing head gear, so at the end of the day it's going to be a real fight and I'm ready. I've been training hard and I want to show what I've learned.”
Sanchez has never played in Isleta but it holds a special place in his heart, having been married there, and he believes his speed, power and experience, plus that extra motivation, will help him win.
“I want to get back up the ranks and hopefully get ranked again and challenge for another world title. That's always the goal. I'm more focused. Some of my past fights didn't go the way I wanted them to, but I feel like I've learned from them and grown from them, and now I feel like I'm in my prime and ready to go.”
