Fans should expect a throwback fight in Jose Luis Sanchez vs. Joe Gomez Martinez
“¡Esas si son peleas no chingaderas!,” my father typically exclaims in Spanish when a classic slugfest comes on television or is playing on Youtube. It loosely translates to, “Now that’s a real fight, not no bullshit!”
This is exactly what local fight fans are expected to get Saturday, March 30 at the Manuel Lujan Exhibition Hall at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque when Jose Luis Sanchez and Joe Gomez Martinez face each other in a highly anticipated contest.
Sanchez (8-1, 3KO), hopes that a win in such a highly touted bout leads to bigger opportunities in the state and on bigger cards.
“It feels good to be able to show the people that we’ll take any fight in New Mexico,” says Sanchez a native Burqueño, “We want the bigger fights but need to beat the guys here.”
Gomez (22-7-1, 10KOs), of Aztec, enters the 15th year of professional action and on a four-fight win streak. He was a staple in the regional welterweight division for many years.
Among his wins is a dominant 2013 TKO victory over Albuquerque fighter Cristian Cabral. The year before, he would come up just short of victory against regional welterweight kingpin Josh Torres losing the bout by split decision.
“People are talking shit, saying that I’m only fighting bums,” says Sanchez about challenging himself against the gritty veteran. “A win over Joe will show that I can win bigger fights, and then hopefully catch a big promoter’s eye on a big card later.”
This is a recipe that his younger brother, Jason Sanchez, used in his October 2018 bout against undefeated Top Rank prospect Jean Carlos Rivera. The younger Sanchez would easily outpoint Rivera and claim the World Boxing Organization Youth Featherweight Title.
Sanchez would also catch the eye of Top Rank, and days following his victory would sign a 4-year, 12-fight contract with the upper echelon promotion.
“That’s the plan my dad had,” recalls Sanchez of his father “Pepe”. “In order to get signed, my dad knew we needed to beat a Top Rank or Golden Boy Promotions type fighter and that’s exactly what Jason did and I hope I do after this fight.”
Sanchez’s, 26, previous big test was in the third fight of this career against Torres in 2013. Sanchez gave “Pitbull” some fits early on before ultimately succumbing to a 7th round TKO.
Both Sanchez and Gomez have their eyes on each other but in their reflections, they see a common past foe whom they both fell victim to, coincidentally March 30 main event fighter, Torres.
Sanchez and Gomez Martinez have both publicly stated that they each want their rematch with the New Mexico welterweight king, Torres, after this bout. The issue in overlooking one another is that the fight with Torres may not come to fruition. In his last 14 bouts, Torres has only fought one New Mexico fighter.
“I still want the Torres fight and also want big fights,” says Sanchez. “I want both but because we’ll be fighting here— I want to show that I’m the best at 147.”
For now, Gomez Martinez and Sanchez will have to worry about their respective bout. Neither man will come out of it unscathed. The most focused fighter will be the victor. He can then lick his wounds and watch Torres in the main event, hoping that Torres wins and calls him out.
Tickets to Legacy Boxing Promotions’ Expo Explosion III on March 30 can be purchased by clicking HERE. Doors fight night open at 5pmMT.
