Three fighters from Gilroy will put it all on the line for three
rounds Saturday night at the Elks Lodge in Gilroy. All three have
different reasons for doing so.
Three fighters from Gilroy will put it all on the line for three rounds Saturday night at the Elks Lodge in Gilroy. All three have different reasons for doing so.
For 24-year-old John Sosa, it’s about conditioning and proving himself in a way that is fun but slightly dangerous. Only slightly dangerous because Sosa has seen far worse after spending two tours of duty in Iraq. He has lost thirty pounds since returning to the states, and is looking to avenge his last defeat. Barely over 200 pounds now, Sosa will be up against a bigger opponent.
“People call me crazy for wanting to stay in heavyweights, but I’m like, ‘you know …,’ ” Sosa said.
Noel Temores, 9, is fighting Saturday to avenge a loss. The 78-pounder said he has been “working out on footwork,” and thinks he’ll be able to beat Jose Santana, his first and only amateur opponent to date.
And then there’s Randy Guerrero, brother of two-time IBF champ Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. Taking the nickname “The Most” from promoter Rick Mello for the fight – “For this fight it will work,” Randy said – the 130-pound Guerrero will be facing 17-year-old Andy Denecse of San Jose.
After losing his last bout by decision to a seasoned amateur who had almost 40 fights, Guerrero (5-1), 16, is solely focused on gaining experience at this point.
“I’m just trying to put in a lot of fights,” he said.
The goal is to gain enough rign time that he can perform well at Junior Nationals being held in Oxnard, Calif., and after that make a run at the 2012 Olympics. Guerrero’s genes suggest he has the ability, as all of his brothers were involved in high-level amateur bouts, but it will require plenty of hard work.
“He’s like [Robert], he’s good with both hands,” said Ruben Guerrero, Randy’s father and trainer. “I just have to work on his speed and timing a little more.”
Saturday’s bouts, 15 in total were scheduled as of press time, are being sponsored by Up Front and Undisputed Sports Entertainment. Mello expects fans who attend – tickets are $40 and will include food and drinks – will “see tomorrow’s champions today,” he said. “They’ll probably be better fights with the amateurs than this crap on television. Because we’re not trying to build records.”
Doors at the Elks Lodge (2765 Hecker Pass, Gilroy, CA 95020) will open at 5:30 p.m. and fights will begin at 7 p.m. To buy tickets, call (408) 778-4529 or 778-1114. Seating is open and will be limited to 250 people.
