Preview: “Night of the Olympians.”

Tonight, April 29, 2005, live from the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, Texas, and televised on Telefutura, Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotion presents “Night of the Olympians.” Three of De La Hoya’s charges: Daniel Ponce De Leon, Abner Mares, and Vicente Escobedo, all former Olympians, are to feature on the

card along with some local fighters. It is truly a pleasure to be able to see such great fighters so early in their career, as the three ex-Olympians are considered serious up and comers with one of them, Daniel Ponce De Leon, at the cusp of a world title. Here are some more details about the fighters featured tonight.

Daniel Ponce De Leon (#7 ranked IBF junior featherweight contender): Born in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, this direct descendent from the Tarahumara India Tribe of northern Mexico, conducts himself like a modern day warrior, as his all-out fighting style, almost superhuman natural strength, and relentless attack has contributed to twenty-three knockouts in twenty-five fights. Unlike most prospects early in their careers, Daniel has been in with the likes of Trinidad Mendoza, Francisco Tejedor, Cesar Figueroa, Emmanuel Lucero, Julio Gamboa, and Celestino Caballero. Ponce De Leon was undefeated until his last fight, when then unknown Celestino Caballero, out-pointed the Mexican warrior over twelve exciting rounds in an IBF title eliminator bout, which was televised on HBO Latino Boxeo De Oro. Daniel was originally scheduled to fight Jose Luis Valbuena, who is a southpaw and stands approximately five foot seven inches tall. One week prior to the fight, Valbuena pulled out with an injury, and in stepped Caballero. After weeks of preparation for a left handed, shorter fighter, De Leon found out that he was now fighting a right handed, five-foot-eleven-inch tall boxer. He never complained, stepped into the ring, and just tried his best. Caballero used his range, and size to keep the much shorter left handed Mexican on the outside. Daniel, taking a horrible beating, showed the heart and soul of a true Mexican warrior as he just kept coming. In the twelfth round, with both his eyes swollen, and his face bloodied, De Leon would mount one last offensive that would seriously hurt Caballero, almost taking him out. The Colombian showed his own heart, as he managed to stay upright until the final bell rang. Tonight, Daniel begins his comeback and SaddoBoxing will be ringside to see how De Leon will respond to his first loss.

“Lil” Abner Mares (2-0-0 with 2KOs): This nineteen-year-old former 2004 Mexican Olympian was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and now makes his home in Hawaiian Gardens, California. Mares is a former amateur standout, with a record of 112-8-0 with 84 KOs, whose accolades includes P.A.L. champion, Silver Gloves champion, Junior Olympics champion, Olympic Festival champion, Central American Tournament champion, European Games champion, and under seventeen world championship tournament titles. He fought all over the world, and beat all kinds of styles. Always seen as an amateur with a professional style, “Lil” Abner seems to have made the transition to the paid ranks with ease. He has lighting quick hands, good power in both fists, can fight in both orthodox, and southpaw stance, and has solid footwork. Only time will tell how far this exciting young junior featherweight will go, but you can bet that SaddoBoxing.com will be there every step of the way.

Vicente Escobedo (2-0-0 with 2 KOs): This articulate twenty-three-year-old lightweight was born, and still resides in Woodland, California. He is a former 2004 United States Olympian who was last seen on the “Viva Mexico” pay-per-view show, which featured Marco Antonio Barrera.Vicente blew out his opponent in the first round. Escobedo actually trained with Barrera, and got some quality rounds sparring with the Mexico City legend. This Mexican-American’s fighting style, and personality is often compared to his boss, Oscar de la Hoya. Vicente is an excellent boxer who has a very good understanding of distance and punching range. He has quick hands, very solid boxing fundamentals, good defense, and has some solid pop in both hands. He is a great kid, with the looks, and intelligence to become a true star in the sport. SaddoBoxing.com will continue to cover this young, talented fighter who seems to be the future of the division.

Well fight fans, there you have it. I must really thank SaddoBoxing.com for giving me this opportunity to be ringside and cover fighters who are the future of our sport. Stay tuned as I’ll provide accounts of the fights, conduct interviews, and post some pictures on all the action that is scheduled for tonight. Got to go now, as it’s almost fight time!

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com