By Joseph Herron: As the age old adage states, “All good things come to those who wait”.
Former Olympian and Duncanville, TX, native Luis Yanez (6-0-1) has been patiently waiting almost four years to fulfill his destiny of becoming a world champion.
What once seemed like a dream, grabbing gold at the 2007 Pan-American Games in Brazil and representing his country in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the fulfilled days of amateur glory have since become a distant memory as the 23 year old Super Flyweight prospect laces up his gloves this Saturday night for only the seventh time as a professional fighter.
After experiencing management and promotional issues, as well as enduring several nagging injuries due to two unfortunate auto accidents, the proud 115 pound USA Texas State Super Flyweight Champion hopes to jumpstart his career as a prizefighter in a big way by taking on 30 year old Joseph Rios (10-6-2, 4 KOs) of San Antonio, TX.
Although Yanez possesses an extensive amateur pedigree consisting of over 300 amateur bouts, his opponent has fought the higher level of opposition as a professional and has been the more active fighter over the last four years.
According to “The Latin Legend”, this is nothing more than a technicality.
“I’ve been fighting for fifteen years and have been working really hard throughout my entire life,” claims Luis Yanez. “I know things haven’t come as easily or as quickly as I had originally hoped, but everything happens for a reason. I feel great and now I’m ready to make my mark in the world of boxing. I am expecting a very successful 2012.”
Trainer, mentor, and friend Denis Rodarte, who has coached the former Olympian at the Jimenez Old School Boxing Gym in Denton, TX, since his fighter was eight years old, believes that Luis has matured over the past four years and is ready to become a world champion.
“Luis needed that time to mentally and physically mature,” states the experienced fight trainer. “After experiencing so much success in the amateurs at such a torrid pace, it was a blessing in disguise that things didn’t happen as quickly as we thought they would. Luis has taken this time to grow as a person and has matured into a very special fighter.”
Last month, Luis picked up his fifth professional victory by defeating southpaw Jamal Parram (5-4-1, 4 KOs) in a six round unanimous decision. Most fight scribes in attendance agreed that “The Latin Legend” looked sharp and impressive during his first fight in over a year.
“It felt really good to get back in the ring and take care of business. Although I haven’t had any fights on my resume in a while, I’ve been in the gym and have been working hard. Most people don’t realize that I’ve had fights scheduled that have been cancelled because opponents have backed out for one reason or another. I can’t help that. The only thing I can do is continue to train and prepare for the best opposition.”
Luis Yanez believes the best is yet to come.
“I already have four more fights scheduled for 2012 after this Saturday’s bout against Joseph Rios and I feel that I am ready to face the best opposition available. I welcome any challenge at 115, 118, and 122 pounds. I want them all. I am going to be a world champion. Boxing will see that Luis Yanez is back.”
This Saturday night, March 24th, in a Zeferino Entertainment Special Event, Luis Yanez and Joseph Rios will settle things once and for all. But this time, the battle will take place deep within the historic village of La Villita’s Maverick Plaza in San Antonio, TX.
The March 24th action filled bout sheet:
The 8-Round Main Event
Luis “The Latin Legend” Yanez (6-0-1) vs. Joseph “Mighty Angel” Rios (10-6-2, 4 KOs)
The 8- Round Co-Main Event
Salvador “Amir” Roa (6-0-1, 2 KOs) vs Quinton Whitaker (7-9, 5 KOs)
6-Round Special Attraction
James Cantu (7-0, 4 KOs) vs. Cory Yett (3-2, 1 KO)
4 Round Special Attraction
Rolando “El Potro” Campos (4-4, 2 KOs) vs. Jorge Flores (0-3)
4 Round Special Attraction
Steven Hall (3-2, 3 KOs) vs. Miguel Pizarro (2-6, 1 KO)
4 Round Special Attraction
Jesse Anguiano (Pro Debut) vs. Javier Rodriguez (0-0-1)
“One More Time” Yanez vs. Rios III, March 24th 2012, at the La Villita Village at the Maverick Plaza, San Antonio, Texas. Doors open 6:00pm Tickets available at www.zboxing.com brought to you by Zeferino Entertainment.
General Admission for this special event is $30.00 and Ringside seats $50.00