11-25-10 Lovato Protégé To Make Boxing Debut

For Martinez, 24, it will mark the culmination of a journey that started in 2007 when he enrolled in the Española Boxing Club managed by Española boxer Monica Lovato.

“I always loved boxing,” Martinez said. “I joined the Club, and from then on I was hooked.”

Martinez progressed rapidly and two months after joining had his first amateur fight in Mesa, Ariz.

“Usually it’s eight or nine months before you have your first fight, but Monica said, ‘I think you’re ready,’” Martinez said.

Although Martinez lost that first bout by decision, he has continued to pursue his career with the encouragement of Lovato.

“He has a lot of heart,” Lovato said. “He showed me that he wanted to do it. He’s a natural fighter.”

Lovato said Martinez has had between 18 and 20 amateur bouts, losing twice and recording six knockouts.

“He hits harder than hell,” Lovato said.

Martinez describes himself as a forward fighter.

“I like to keep the pressure on and stay constantly moving,” Martinez said. “(Boxing) is actually an art. It’s a mental and physical chess game.”

Despite the violent sport he has chosen as a career, Martinez comes across as a quiet man. He works as a dialysis technician at Santa Fe Dialysis Center and eventually would like to become a nurse.

“I enjoy helping people,” he said.

Lovato trained Martinez early in his career, but in April she suggested he start training with Al Lovato (no relation) in Santa Fe. Al Lovato trained Monica Lovato when she won the International Boxing Association’s world bantamweight title July 28, 2007, at Sky City Casino.

Martinez has been training with Al Lovato in Santa Fe since April. Al Lovato also trains Joaquin Zamora, a well-known light middleweight fighter from Santa Fe.

“(Antonio) had moved to Albuquerque for about a year to train with me, but moved back to Española to be closer to his parents,” Monica Lovato said. “He was driving down two days a week to train or I was driving up to train him, but that was too hard on both of us.”

Antonio Martinez is the son of Donna and Anthony Martinez. He graduated from Española Valley High School in 2004 and played basketball for the Sundevils until his senior year. He worked for five years at the Triple S convenience store on Paseo de Oñate.

“Monica has been a big factor in my career,” Antonio Martinez said. “She’s always been there for me and my girlfriend (Claudia Valdez).”

Monica Lovato and Martinez know little about Galarza, his upcoming opponent, other than that he’s 29 years old, has over 20 amateur bouts and is also making his professional debut. The Galarza-Martinez match is scheduled for four rounds and is on the undercard of the International Boxing Association’s female light welterweight title bout between Holly Holm and Ann Saccurato.

Martinez is excited about this first step in his career, even if the results don’t come out in his favor.

“I’ll get back in the gym, train and go back and do it again,” he said. “Ultimately, I’d love to continue fighting and eventually become a world champion.

Source: http://www.riograndesun.com/articles/2010/11/26/sports/doc4ced37d5b6a73497139116.txt?showdate=2010-11-26&cal=