Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
A veteran and a youngster who will face each other in the boxing ring share a common trait: Courageousness.
Reno’s Oscar “El Chapito” Vasquez, who has won 15 of his 16 professional fights, will battle Tijuana, Mexico’s Ricardo “El Nino” Sandoval (12-1) in the main event of a boxing card on Friday, May 4, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Vasquez’s younger brother, 27-year-old Santos “Titos” Vasquez,” will fight in the light flyweight division (108 pounds) against Puetro Rico’s Bryan Aquino, 11-2. An alternate on the 2012 United States Olympic boxing team, Vasquez is unbeaten in his last five fights and has an overall record of 5-2-1 with 3 knockout wins. Undefeated local prospects Ricardo “The Dreamer” Lucio-Galvan and Diego Elizondo also are on the bill in separate bouts , along with Sacramento cruiserweight Blake “The Beast” McKernan.
The nontelevised card will be presented by Let’s Get It On Promotions and the Atlantis Casino Resort.
The night of fights is headlined by small boxers, but it will be balanced with a late addition announced on Monday. Undefeated heavyweight Frank “Freedom Fighter” Sanchez (5-0, 5 KOs) will face veteran Lamont Capers (9-11) in a six-round bout. Sanchez was born and raised in Guantanomo Bay, Cuba. He had more than 200 amateur boxing matches in Cuba, which he fled in 2016. He moved to Las Vegas and signed with retired Hall of Fame referee Richard Steele.
The 30-year-old Vasquez is the No. 2 ranked super flyweight in the United States. His only loss came in his third pro bout. His last fight was in November, also in the convention center. He suffered serious cuts from headbutts by Victor Ruiz and won on a technical decision when the bout was stopped after the fourth round.
The 19-year-old Sandoval was on the same card. He scored an upset split decision over previously unbeaten Brent Venegas. After he was knocked down in the first round he switched to a left-handed stance and rallied to win a split decision that infuriated Venegas’ trainer, Gabriel Flores Sr. Sandoval since has won two more fights.
Tahoe Onstage boxing analyst Simon Ruvalcaba weighed in: “Look for a matchup of momentum switches as Sandoval aims to use his reach and fearlessness against the always pressuring and relentless style of Vasquez.”
Promoter Tommy Lane said,“Both guys come forward, both like to exchange punches. It will be a very exciting fight.”
McKernan (7-0, 5 KOs) of Sacramento is an Army veteran who served in Iraq. The 190-pound fighter is slated for a six-round fight against 6-foot-4 inch Daniel Arambula (4-2, 1 KO) from Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico.
Elizondo (2-0) will face 26-year-old Canton Miller (3-1 1 KO) of St. Louis.
“I plan on fighting at 130 or 132,” said Elizondo, a Carson City resident. “I’ve been training hard I’m excited to show everyone an exciting fight. I feel very happy to be fighting in Reno again as it’s very close to home.”
No opponent has been named for Lucio-Galvan, (2-0, 2 KOs).
Tickets are available and can be purchased at the Atlantis Gift Shop $35, $65, $100 (taxes and fees not included), by calling Atlantis Special Events (888) 551-7007 or (775) 824-4467, or via LINK
-Tim Parsons
Related story: Did a cow taint the heavyweight field?
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
