Looking Back at Boxer Adriano “Amazing” Sanchez
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By Daniel Sisneros
Albuquerque, NM’s Adriano Sanchez was an outstanding all around athlete who started his ring campaign as a kickboxer/boxer in the amateur ranks. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs organization as a pitcher but decided to turn professional in the boxing ring on August 8, 1998. He showed his “Fastball” with an explosive first round knockout over A.J. Martinez of Santa Fe, NM. It was a showcase for the potential punching power of Sanchez earning him the nickname of “Amazing Adriano”.
He defeated Denver’s Eugene Lopez, and fellow Albuquerquean Freddie Chavez both by ko’s to set up a showdown of New Mexican KO artists against Alamogordo, NM’s Jose Terrazas (5-2, 4 ko). In a power packed slugfest, it was Terrazas scoring the tko at 2:58 of round 4 to hand Sanchez his first defeat as a Pro.
Sanchez always had a great attitude towards his boxing career, and took the defeat in stride, getting right back to work and scoring a string of 3 first round ko wins, moving his record to 6-1, 6 ko’s and setting him up for his anticipated showdown with former ABF State Champion and fellow Albuquerque favorite – Marty Maestas. This night belonged to “Amazing Adriano” as he stopped Maestas in round 5 of a very spirited battle that had the fans roaring.
He heard the final bell for the first time in his next bout as he fought to a draw against Houston’s Amado Navarro via majority draw over 6 rounds with one judge seeing it 58-55 for Sanchez, but being over-ruled by the other two judges who had it 57-57.
4 months later he was matched against a man who was considered one of New Mexico’s hardest punchers in the division – Marcos “Pit Bull” Rodriguez of Los Lunas, NM. It was a “KO or be KO’d” showdown and after 1 wild round, it was Adriano Sanchez’s hand raised in victory, moving his record to 8-1-1, 8 by ko.
It was time for the rematch with the only man to go the distance with Sanchez – Amado Navarro, the bout again went the distance, but this time it was an 8 round victory for Navarro. Sanchez bounced back with a decision win against highly regarded Benjie Marquez of Denver.
One victory later, he found his self in an ESPN2 televised bout against world ranked former WBC Fecarbox and California State Champion – Carlos “El Elegante” Bojorquez (15-2-5, 11 ko). It was another “KO or be KO’d” bout, but this time it was Sanchez being stopped at 2:00 of round 1.
Sanchez returned to New Mexico to score a big win on the undercard of an ESPN2 televised event that featured two NABF Title bouts as co-main events in Bernalillo, NM against undefeated former amateur star – St. Louis’ Lamar Alexander (6-0) via 4 round decision. His bout did not make the ESPN2 broadcast, but it was a big win for Sanchez. It was also the last time he would have his arm raised in victory in a professional boxing ring.
Adriano had two more fights, being stopped by Colorado’s Earl “The New Generation” Jackson, and losing via decision in his final bout on June 3, 2004 to Rodney Moore in Lincoln City, Oregon.
It was a fun ride for Adriano’s fans and in the 6 years he never fought for a pro title, but delighted his New Mexico boxing fans with some devastating knockouts, and his humble attitude made him a definite fan favorite with the locals.
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