NABF Champ Fights THIS Friday!
If you have ever watched Efrain Esquivias Jr. fight in person, then you’ve seen his incredible walkouts worthy of any rock star.
The NABF Super Bantamweight Champion exits the dressing room and enters the arena surrounded by a huge group of fans huddled around their favorite boxing hero–creating a human tunnel cheering for the SoCal gladiator to walk through. Trust me, you have to see it to believe it; it’s an impressive wave of support as his excited fans hoist signs, bringing the decibel level to all-time highs. And if you aren’t close enough to see it, fans in the building can certainly hear it.
The audience is drawn to the boxer for his tenacity and ferocity inside the ring as well as his friendly, down-to-earth persona outside the ropes.
Now Esquivias’ loyal posse of friends, family and fans around the Southland will be able to see him in the ring THIS Friday as a featured fighter on Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “New Blood” card February 24 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.
Efrain (15-0, 9 KOs) will be facing a tough veteran in Adolfo Landeros (21-23-2, 10 KOs). This will be Esquivias’ first bout of 2012 after his last victory against Fernando Beltran, which was an action-packed scrap in November of last year.
Team Esquivias says they are ready to rock and roll.
Catching up with the camp, Efrain expresses that he’s really looking forward to lacing up–and giving the fans a good show.
“I love all my fans and support I receive from them. They’re loyal and appreciate what I do,” the former Golden Gloves National Champ tells me. “That pushes me to work hard so that I continue to put on great shows for them.”
And of his spirited walkouts?
“I’m a crowd pleaser and that’s what fans like; it’s what boxing needs!” he says. “I’m looking forward for an opportunity on the big stage to show the world that I’m one of the best up-and-coming and exciting fighters to look out for in 2012.”
Should he be victorious this Friday, I ask the NABF titlist just whom he’d like to face next.
“I definitely would like to face the best in my division because I want to prove to the world that I am the best,” the Torrance puncher replies, “and the hardest-working boxer that NEVER ducks anybody!”
He’s currently training with Manny Robles after having Freddie Roach in his corner. I asked him about this recent change.
“I’m sad to say I am no longer training with Freddie. He’s a great coach; I learned a lot from him. But as a team we felt it was best if we moved to a trainer that would be available to spend more ‘one on one’ time and be more focused on my career with me,” Esquivias explains. “I’m now training 100% at The Rock in Carson with Manny Robles. He’s a great coach; I’ve known him for a long time and we get along great!”
Robles was coaching the L.A. Matadors but is now focusing on the ground-breaking heavyweight program at The Rock called the All-American Heavyweights (AAH). This is an amateur program that takes top college talents and former football players and coaching them to become prizefighters. I’m curious to hear Efrain’s thoughts on this thriving AAH team since he trains alongside the hulking heavies. He’s become good friends with one of the towering heavyweight stars, George Faavae.
“I like the heavyweight program. It’s been a while since we had an American champion,” the pro fighter answers. “The heavyweights they’re bringing in are extremely athletic and are learning quick! Some of them have great potential. This is what the sport needs–more competition in the heavyweight division.”
And speaking of great potential in regards to Efrain’s career, his manager Eddie Gonzalez praises his young talent who will be looking for his sixteenth win this week.
“It is very exciting to have a fighter of Efrain Esquivias caliber signed under me,” Eddie says. “He is very talented and a crowd-pleasing fighter. I first saw Esquivias in his amateur days and knew that he had all the attributes to make it as a pro. It is easy to imagine Efrain in the near future moving on from the NABF champion to become the legitimate WBC World Champion in his weight class.”
And Team Esquivias is ready to rock this Friday on Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” card as Efrain plans to showcase an arsenal of weapons in the squared circle.
“As far as his weapons and attributes are concerned, let me share with you that his greatest weapon is his ‘Boxing IQ’, followed by his ability to adjust to his opponent’s style,” manager Gonzalez tells me. “Efrain also possesses excellent reflexes, speed, power, stamina, and a killer instinct when his opponents are in trouble!”
Fight fans can catch this killer instinct Friday night as Efrain Esquivias Jr. steps inside the ring.
“NEW BLOOD” Tickets: (714) 935-0900
Photos by Michele Chong/ Ring photo courtesy of Eddie Gonzalez
I’ve seen Efrain Esquivas train at the Rock in Carson, and he’s nothing to trifle with. Best of luck on bringing home the belt!
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