Marquez, Villanueva To Face Off at Hard Rock

ISLETA PUEBLO – Before a Thursday news conference at the Hard Rock, Albuquerque boxer Archie Ray Marquez and trainer Sergio Chavez had a clear-the-air conversation.

Recently, Marquez left Chavez to train instead with five-time world champion Johnny Tapia.

No hard feelings, both parties said.

	March 31 Willie Villanueva vs. Archie Ray Marquez, six other fights, at the Hard Rock. Tickets: $15-$100, holdmyticket.com

Still, Chavez said, he doesn’t deny he’ll have extra motivation as he trains Albuquerque’s Willie Villanueva for his scheduled, 10-round lightweight bout March 31 at the Hard Rock against – guess who – Archie Ray Marquez.

“It’s actually good,” Chavez said, smiling. “It just puts spice into the whole thing.”

The switch from Chavez to Tapia, Marquez said, is no reflection on his former trainer. After two consecutive losses, “I just needed a change. I usually change trainers every once in a while, anyway, and I’d been wanting to come with Johnny for a while.”

Thursday’s conversation was between two friends, not boxer and trainer, Chavez said. He’d heard Marquez was leaving from a third party, not from the fighter himself, and had been upset. But on Thursday, “(Marquez) showed me respect. He’s a very respectful kid.”

During his five years as Marquez’s trainer, did he see things he can pass on to Villanueva in preparation for March 31?

“Of course,” Chavez said. “If we listen and do what needs to be done, it’s gonna be a good fight.”

The Marquez-Villanueva bout is the main event of a seven-fight card promoted by Tapia and his wife, Teresa.

In a six-round co-feature, veteran Santa Fe middleweight Joaquin Zamora (18-4-1, 12 knockouts) is scheduled to face El Paso’s Bernardo Guereca (16-13-1, 3 KOs).

Zamora, like Marquez, is now being trained by Tapia.

Zamora said he remains close to his longtime trainer, Santa Fe’s Al Lovato, and is working with Tapia at Lovato’s suggestion.

“How can you not learn from Johnny Tapia?” Zamora said. “The guy knows everything, the ins and outs.”

Also on the card is Tapia’s son, previously known as Johnathon but now fighting as Johnny Tapia Jr. The younger Tapia is 0-1 as a professional.

“It’s tough for me,” the elder Tapia said of seeing his son take punches in the ring. “But if he wants to do it, I want to be there for him.”

Another back story to the main event is the long history between Marquez and Villanueva.

“I grew up with him,” Marquez said of his next opponent. “We went to school together; we went to the same barbershop.

“We’re friends. We’ve known each other for a long time, and it’s just business.”

Nor will March 31 be the first time the two have met in the boxing ring. They fought twice as amateurs, with Villanueva – older by about 2 1/2 years – winning both.

“I thought I won the second one,” Marquez said.

It’s Marquez (12-2, 8 KOs) who has seen more success as a professional. After winning his first four fights, the Albuquerquean, now 23, was signed to a contract by major promoter Gary Shaw.

Marquez reeled off eight more victories before losing his last two – prompting the switch in trainers.

“More angles, more movement,” Marquez said of Tapia’s approach. “… That’s my style of fighting.”

Villanueva (10-4, 2 KOs) came to Chavez at the encouragement of his friend and fellow boxer Joshua Gomez, not knowing he might wind up fighting Marquez.

“Everywhere you go, you learn something new,” said Villanueva, 26. “I’m definitely learning some new things (from Chavez).”

Villanueva is moving up two weight classes, from 126 to 135 pounds, to face Marquez. Not having to lose so much weight, he believes, will make him stronger come fight time.

“The timing for this fight was just right, and it all fell into place,” he said. “I’m pretty pumped up about it.”
— This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal