By Sergio Martinez
There are several young “prospects” out there currently working on padding their records and creating a fan following that will add to their growing legends. Young cats the likes of Vicente “Chente” Escobedo, Abner Mares, and Andre Ward are prime examples of this very assessment as these three former Olympians, and current “blue chip” prospects are a combined 23-0-0 with 19 KOs. At first examination, those statistics alone lead one to conclude that their vast amateur and Olympic experiences are the obvious catalyst to future success, and that all three younglings were born for the sole purpose of pugilistic greatness.
Then, there are those “prospects” that did not carry the national amateur or Olympic champion monikers into their professional careers and are forced to earn the title by taking tough fights early in their pugilistic journeys, proving that they are worthy of true consideration. This is exactly the type of situation that El Paso, Texas’ own prospect, Antonio Escalante, found himself in two weeks ago when he squared off against a tough, hard-hitting and more experienced prospect in Jose Andres Hernandez.
The fight quickly turned into a war of attrition in which both combatants tasted the canvas. The bell tolled for Escalante in that fight, but he responded in spades, winning a hard fought unanimous decision.
“It was a very tough fight and he (Hernandez) was a good fighter. I really learned a lot about myself that night. I learned that I can take a punch from someone who hits hard because he really could punch. I also learned that I need to keep my hands up (laughing), and that I need to use my lateral movement and boxing skill a lot more. I also proved to everyone and myself that I do have heart and guts as there was no way that I was just going to stay on the canvas after he had me down in the second round. That experience made me get up and fight even harder!” said Antonio Escalante to Boxingscene.com from his home base in El Paso, Texas.
Not only did Escalante find himself down on the canvas that night, but he was also in Hernandez’ adopted hometown of Chicago, Illinois, and was fighting for the first time under the Golden Boy Promotions banner with his new boss, Oscar de la Hoya, at ringside, yelling at him to get up. It was a moment that Antonio will never forget. “I must admit that I did feel more pressure than usual for this fight because I really felt that I needed to show something because this was the first time that my promoter (DLH) was seeing me fight live.
I felt a little tight because I really wanted to put on a performance for him and wanted to show that I belong. After the knockdown, I heard him yelling at me to get up and fight on. That was an inspiration for me because he is a great fighter himself so I had that extra motivation. I really like the fact that I’m part of Golden Boy.”
And being part of Golden Boy’s very young stable of potential superstars is something that most aspiring boxers wish to be as they get the benefit of being represented by one of the biggest boxing names in De La Hoya to have ever graced the squared-circle. Still, there are a lot of infantile fighters in that stable that are ahead in the line, per se, with regards to attention and consideration for future stardom. Escalante shares this view of his co-baby stable-mates.
“I’m only twenty-years old and started boxing at the age of fifteen. I have a great action style because I love to brawl, but I also possess a lot of boxing ability. I have speed in both hands and, as I proved in this last fight, I can really take a punch. My stable-mates have the Olympic and amateur pedigrees behind them, but I don’t think that any of them have faced a guy like Hernandez yet. I think that, although I don’t have the same amateur pedigree as them, I do have as much ability and skills and have already passed my first real test in the pro ranks.” Escalante continued, “I want to clarify that I’m not saying that my stable-mates are not good fighters, as “Chente,” Abner and the others have certainly shown that they have skills and talent and really do seem to be for real.
All I’m saying is that they have yet to be tested and I believe that I already passed my first test. I will continue working very hard to make sure that I can keep passing my tests and proving myself.”
The “action style” that Escalante talks about is very evident as, although he does seem to possess boxing aptitude, the tough Texan prefers to brawl on the inside and impose his will on the opposition. Like many fighters of his age, he attributes his aggression to a late eighties boxing icon. “I’ve always liked to brawl because I’ve always been a guy who scores knockouts. Even in the amateurs, I would knock guys out. I started watching Mike Tyson as a kid and I just loved the way he just rushed in with ferociousness and power and would knock guys out. I started doing this in the streets of El Paso.
I was born in Mexico, but I came to El Paso at the age of ten. I used to fight a lot on the streets and I would knock guys out all the time. The people in the neighborhood used to tell me that I should become a fighter because I was good at street fighting and I could really punch. I knocked a lot of guys out on the streets (laughing), and I decided to give boxing a try. When I started, I wanted to hit like him (Tyson) and I always charged in with power and showed people that I can do this. I can be a professional fighter.”
And for 2006, Antonio has set realistic goals which he hopes can be realized with his new promoter.
“I would really like to challenge and win a minor title this year as that would be one of my boxing dreams to come true. The WBC Youth title is one that I really covet and hope that I can get the opportunity to do so. I am going to keep working very hard in the gym and I’m only going to get better. I will give fans anywhere I fight a great show and I know that they will be happy watching me fight because of my style.” Antonio continued, “I would like to say thank you very much to the cities of El Paso and Juarez for all of their support. I will always fight for them and I will always give my best.”
Contact Sergio Martinez at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com