With so many fighters in the San Diego/Tijuana area, there is practically news every day. In the last week since the first report on Fightnews regarding the border region, there have been some interesting revelations and upcoming fight announcements.
DeMarco on the verge of stopping Linares Photo by Big Joe Miranda
Despite no official word just yet, it seems that the rematch between WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco (27-2-1, 20KOs) and Venezuela’s Jorge Linares (31-2, 20KOs) is all but set for Saturday, July 7th. Word is that it might be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. After his spectacular knock out of “Mickey” Roman this past weekend in his home town of Los Mochis, Mexico, DeMarco, who lives in Tijuana, told Fightnews over breakfast that he was looking forward to the rematch and he wished Linares luck in his upcoming bout on March 31st in Cancun. DeMarco also made it a point to comment on some statements that were attributed to him on the internet which said that he would retire Linares in their rematch. Anybody has ever met the twenty-six year old knows that the comment was out of character for the humble and affable DeMarco and he insisted that he did not make that statement.
Martin No Longer With Top Rank
In our last installment, it was announced that world ranked super bantamweight Christopher “SD Kid” Martin (23-1-3, 6KOs) was looking for a dance partner for his next outing. Well, he found it. Martin of South San Diego will be facing Puerto Rican Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (15-0, 11KOs) on Friday, April 27th, on Showtime’s “ShoBox” series. In other “SD Kid” news, Martin also mentioned to Fightnews that he has been released from his contract from Top Rank and is a promotional free agent, “I’m no longer fighting under Top Rank banner. I feel better being released because I never felt too comfortable there.”
Marvin "Cachorro" Quintero
Also announced in our last column was the twelve round lightweight contest between Tijuana southpaw Marvin “Cachorro” Quintero (24-3, 20KOs) and undefeated Filipino Al Sabaupan (18-0-1, 13KOs) set for Manila. The bout is an IBF elimination bout for the #1 ranking and the right to challenge champ Miguel “Titere” Vazquez. The fight originally slated for April 14th, has now been moved up to March 31st which only made Quintero all the happier since he stated that he is ready to go now. Quintero is concentrated in Los Mochis while his trainer, Romulo Quirarte, also trains former three-time champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto for his next bout in early April. While there, Quintero will spar with his gym mate back in Tijuana, Antonio DeMarco.
Denis Grachev
A San Diego well-kept secret by way Chaykovsky, Russia, is undefeated light heavyweight Denis “The Pirate” Grachev (11-0-1, 7KOs) who faces the highly touted Ismayl Sillakh (17-0, 14KOs) on Saturday. April 27th, in Austin, Texas, in the main event of ESPN2′s “Friday Night Fights”. A kickboxing champ back in Russia, Grachev has faced tough opposition and has taken the ’0′ of two previous opponents, Vladine Biosse and Azea Augustama. There to fight, look for the “The Pirate” to try to take Sillakh’s undefeated record as stolen treasure.
Hanzel Martinez
While the Morales brothers, Erik and Ivan, fight this Saturday night in Houston, Texas, another boxing relative is also slated to perform this weekend. Tijuana super flyweight Hanzel “Tornadito” Martinez (15-0, 12KOs), brother in law of Antonio Margarito, is all set to face Alex Rangel (14-1-1, 8KOs) in an eight rounder at the Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. The twenty year old began his career three years ago on the undercard of Chavez Jr.-Cuello and since then has been on a tear all over southwest U.S. and in Mexico. Known for his high punch output like his former world champion in-law, Martinez is also influenced by the clown prince of boxing, Jorge “Maromero” Paez. Look for Martinez to do a “maroma” if he wins after his fight in honor of the multi-time champ Paez.
