A Day at Azteca Boxing Club
Alfonso Gomez is set to trade leather with Canelo Alvarez THIS Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
In a scheduled 12 rounds, the pair will square off for the WBC Super Lightweight belt. Their September 17 main event in L.A. is part of the “Star Power: Mayweather vs. Ortiz” (taking place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas) boxing spectacular promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
Gomez (23-4-2, 12 KOs) has been pegged as the “underdog” in the contest as the redheaded hero Canelo has been tabbed for superstardom.
Can the Southern California boxer pull off an upset?
¡Sí, se puede!
Yes, it is possible say his gym mates at the Azteca Boxing Club.
So can he beat the undefeated 21-year-old “Cinnamon” phenom (37-0-1, 27 KOs)?
While at the recent media workout for Gomez, I took an impromptu poll around the gym.
As Alfonso, a WBC Continental America Champion, struck the mitts and quickly ducked under the workout sticks coming at him, I spoke to several of his fellow fighters around the gym.
His stablemates during this afternoon at Azteca included champions Giovani Segura, Miguez Vazquez, and boxers Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr., Benjamin Diaz, Walter Sarnoi and Katarina De La Cruz. During breaks in training, I caught up with a few of the sluggers to get their thoughts on the Saturday matchup.
They are all looking forward to this big weekend in boxing in offering their assessments in the Alvarez–Gomez battle, voting with both their head and their hearts.
Champ Miguez Vazquez (who’s looking to fight in October) had this to say. “I know Alfonso Gomez is a good fighter. But I think the one with the most possibility of winning is Canelo, who’s got great skills,” Vazquez said in all honesty. “BUT my heart is with Alfonso Gomez winning!”
As world titlist Giovani Segura (whose fight Thursday, September 15 in Baja, Mexico was just canceled) shadowboxed in front of the mirrors, I quizzed his good friend and fighter Walter Sarnoi, who had just finished his own workout. Known as the “School Boy,” the Thai-American boxer will still be fighting on this same card that Segura was originally scheduled to be on. Trained by Javier Capetillo and also managed by Ricky Mota (also Segura’s manager), Walter remains loyal to his stablemates.
“Alfonso’s my friend,” Walter acknowledges, while also adding that Gomez’s sparring went great with Javier Molina. Pausing briefly before giving me his prediction, Walter then shares his thoughts. “Alfonso’s had a real high-intensity in training that I haven’t ever seen before,” Sarnoi says. “And I think he can pull it off–and pull off one of the biggest upsets in boxing!”
In another corner of they gym was female warrior Katarina De La Cruz, who was warming up with her coach, Victor Contreras. The slender pugilist will be fighting unbeaten Amaris Quintana this Friday, September 16 in San Diego. The Latina boxer gave me her thoughts on Gomez’s weekend war, pointing out his champion’s heart and determined will.
“Oh man! Alfonso wants what he’s (Alvarez) got–and Canelo wants to keep what he’s got! But Alfonso is showing that he wants it sooo bad,” Katarina nods. “Honestly, I really want him to win. My prediction? These are two great warriors; both are fierce…So I say it could be a DRAW!”
Speaking with veteran fighter Benjamin Diaz, the middleweight told me he was Gomez’s sparring partner in the very early weeks of training. Diaz was working out with his trainer Jesus “Maestrito” Garcia. “Alfonso looks really strong in training,” Benjamin opines. “And we’ve been doing different training with him too like running in the mountains, which really gets you into shape.”
But Diaz, known as “El Trapiche,” can’t pinpoint a final prediction leaning toward either boxer.
He does vocalize this: “My prediction is that it will be a perfect fight–and very good fight!”
I next chatted with a young pug also training at the same time, the unbeaten Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr., along with trainer Javier Capetillo. The teen has fought primarily in Mexico and is the son of Alejandro Gonzalez, a former featherweight champ. While he says he’s looking forward to the Alvarez–Gomez bout in an action-packed Saturday, his focus is on the other fight getting the lion’s share of attention. “Mayweather–Ortiz! Now that’s gonna be a good fight,” the 18-year-old tells me as his eyes light up. “I can’t wait to see that fight!”
Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfonso Gomez will be showcased along with the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Victor Ortiz marquee matchup during this historic two-location tandem fight night. Hoping for their own “Star Power,” the main event at Staples Center promises fireworks of its own. Both Victor Ortiz and Alfonso Gomez are the betting “dogs” in the hunt.
Gomez, himself, is used to his so-called underdog status. It’s a position he’s well acquainted with–but it’s right where he likes it.
Reminding fans he’s been in there with many a tough fighter and plenty of world champions before, Gomez said during our interview that he knows what to expect–especially since he’s has faced a lot of heavy hitters “from light welterweight up to super middleweight” in his ring experience as a prizefighter.
“Each one of these fighters has been a title holder or a title challenger. So that gives me all the confidence of being in the ring withstanding anything he’s gonna bring that I’m sure I’ve seen before somewhere,” the likable Gomez shares about his next foe, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Undaunted, undeterred the boxer and his camp believes there’s always room for an upset.
His trainers Alfonso Gomez Sr. and Mario “Yuca” Morales told me training has been great and they’re prepared to not leave it in the judges’ hands.
And the bout has even more meaning to the local boxer who was born in Guadalajara since it’s timed to coincide with Mexican Independence Day.
¡SI, SE PUEDE! says Team Gomez.
Find out September 17 if Alfonso Gomez can add a victory–and a new belt around his waist.
For more info: www.ticketmaster.com
Photos by Michele Chong/ Workout photos by Maria Hedrick
