Wednesday, April 7, 2004

Chavez puts perfect record on the line

Los Chavez native to box in Albuquerque Saturday night

Jessica Dyer News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jdyer@news-bulletin.com

Albuquerque Jackie Chavez is friendly, easy to talk with and the type of person you'd be happy to meet anywhere — except, that is, in a boxing ring.

In her everyday life as a United Parcel Service employee, the 20-year-old from Los Chavez is calm and easygoing. As a professional boxer, she's anything but, having won all of her matches since making her pro debut at age 18. Headed into her bout on Saturday against Denver's Mercedes Mercury, the super bantamweight has an unblemished 7-0 record that includes three knockouts.

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Chavez, a 2001 graduate of Los Lunas High School who now resides in Rio Rancho, said people are sometimes shocked to learn that she's a boxer.

"People that I meet now are more surprised because I'm not an aggressive person. I'm mellow," said Chavez, who spent her teenage years training in martial arts and kickboxing at Rosales Karate and Kickboxing Academy in Los Lunas. "I'm not angry toward the person (I fight). It's just a skill — you just want to land the perfect combination. Just being able to do that hypes you up. I really don't like hurting people."

But Chavez really likes boxing, which is something she discovered during a recent hiatus from the sport. About a year into her professional career, Chavez decided to take a break. She didn't train or compete last year, spending her time instead working and attending classes at the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus. But being away from the sport was harder than being in it, she said.

"I missed it way too much to never go back and try it again," said Chavez, who is not currently in school but plans to go back eventually to study physical therapy. "I was lost. I didn't know what to do."

Without her daily training regimen — which includes a three-mile morning run and two hours each evening in the gym — Chavez said she had too much time and needed a hobby. She picked skydiving.

She still skydives occasionally, but Chavez has once again become serious about boxing. Her father, Gary Chavez — who not only attends her matches but also many of her practices — said he's not thrilled his daughter returned to boxing but that it beats the alternative.

"It's either jumping out of an airplane or boxing," said her father, adding that he worries about his daughter's safety. "Boxing I probably prefer."

Chavez, who works with trainer Sergio Chavez and manager Ray Sanchez, marked her return to the sport with another victory. In a fight in Roswell in February, she won by unanimous decision.

"It was my first fight back, and it was a little awkward," she said. "But I missed the sport."

Chavez is hoping to pick up another win as part of the "Pride of Albuquerque" card on Saturday at the Albuquerque Convention Center. She will have a six-round fight against Mercury in one of six professional boxing bouts scheduled for the event.

Albuquerque's Ray Sanchez III will fight Richard "Bam Bam" Conchas of Denver in one of two main events. In the second, undefeated Holly Holm will take on Janae Romero-Archuleta.

Chavez said she's worked out with Holm — who's 6-0-1 with two knockouts — to prepare for Mercury because both women are left-handed.

Chavez said she's also asked around to find out more about her opponent, and she's developed a game-plan for the fight.

"She's (Mercury) an in-and-out fighter. She'll like to get on you right away and get out," said Chavez. "I want to try to get to her first. I'll be a little more aggressive, hopefully."

* See Chavez, Page 7B

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