'Guero' is in it for more than the money

Jose Luis Sanchez is a professional boxer, meaning he works for a paycheck. Money, however, is not what motivates him — at least, not exclusively.

At age 33, 13 1/2 years into his pro career, the Albuquerque fighter better known as “Guero” still seeks advancement in his chosen field.

Yes, advancement would lead to bigger paydays. But it’s not just that.

“I would love to fight for a (title) belt,” Sanchez (14-6-1, four knockouts) said in a phone interview on Friday, four days before his scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout against Justin Lacey-Pierce (13-0, seven KOs) in the latter’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Sanchez’s fight is an undercard bout on a card scheduled to be streamed worldwide on DAZN. An upset of Lacey-Pierce, he hopes, could lead to “a main event, a co-main event in my next fight … try to take on the best, you know?”

Taking on the best is something Sanchez has never hesitated to do. His last five opponents entered those bouts with a combined record of 77-1 with 62 knockouts. 

Not surprisingly, given that level of competition, Sanchez lost his last three fights. But before those losses, he defeated previously unbeaten opponents in Rashad Shahid (then 10-0) and Golden Boy Promotions prospect Eric Tudor (then 9-0).

In Lacey-Pierce, Sanchez sees another unbeaten prospect with holes in his game. He’s faced better, he believes, in the likes of Xander Zayas (then 9-0, now 23-0 and the WBO junior middleweight champion, with whom Sanchez went six hard rounds in September 2021), Avious Griffin (18-1, 17 KOs) and Emeka Nwokolo (16-1, 13 KOs).

Of Lacey-Pierce, Sanchez said, “He comes in and throws everything with power, but he leaves himself open to get caught with shots and stuff. 

“… I was able to watch his last fight (a victory by unanimous decision over Courtney Pennington, then 17-10-3, in Detroit), and I saw a lot of things I can work on. I feel he’s not as experienced as me.”

Sanchez believes he represents a step up that Lacey-Pierce, 27, might not be ready for. If so, this could be another trademark Sanchez brothers upset victory.

Last June in Philadelphia, younger brother Jason (17-6, nine KOs) defeated previously unbeaten Julian Gonzalez (now 16-1-1, 12 KOs) by split decision.

The card in Philadelphia was promoted by Marshall Kauffman, who’s scheduled to stage a card on March 14 in El Paso — with Jason Sanchez fighting the main event. Tuesday’s card in Grand Rapids is being promoted by Dimitriy Salita, but with Kauffman listed as a matchmaker. 

Guero Sanchez is hoping a victory over Lacey-Pierce, with influential boxing people watching in person and remotely on DAZN, can kick his career into a higher gear. 

Sanchez cited the example of Abel Ramos, who, despite having six losses on his record, challenged Mario Barrios (then 29-2) for the WBC welterweight world title in November — fighting to a draw. 

“Even with the losses, (Ramos) was still able to fight for a world title,” Sanchez said. “So you’ve just got to keep pushing, train hard, and my time will come.” 

TURNING PRO: Las Cruces boxer Ariana Carrasco, who won multiple national titles as an amateur, has signed with manager Trifon Petrov. 

Carrasco’s father and head trainer, Rene Carrasco, posted on Facebook that his daughter will make her pro debut on Kauffman’s March 14 card in El Paso.

Carrasco spent four years in the United States Army, fighting for the Army boxing team headquartered in Fort Carson near Colorado Springs. 

Rene Carrasco told the Journal via social media that Ariana left active duty last year — shortly after being promoted to sergeant — then signed a one-year contract with the National Guard.