DAMIEN ‘SUGAR’ VAZQUEZ ‘SOMETHING SPECIAL’ by Stephen Johnson The name Damien ‘Sugar’ Vazquez is familiar to Colorado amateur boxing fans but the now 16 years-old undefeated professional boxer (4-0, 3 KO’s) campaigning in the flyweight division is fast becoming rising star, his name prominently mentioned as a serious flyweight contender. Compiling an impressive amateur record of 75-3, the Damien ‘Sugar’ Vazquez resume includes him being a Colorado Silver Gloves Champion (2007, 2008 and 2009), 2008 Arnold Schwarzenegger Invitational Gold Medalist, (2008, 2009 and 2010) Colorado Junior Olympics Champion, (2008, 2009 and 2010) Colorado Junior Golden Gloves Champion, 2009 Regional Silver Gloves Champion, 2009 Colorado Silver Gloves ‘Outstanding Boxer’, 2010 National Silver Gloves Champion (90 lbs.), 2010 ‘Champions Challenge’ (Super Champion), 2010 Regional Junior Olympic Champion, 2010 Colorado Junior Olympic ‘Outstanding Boxer’ and the 2010 Junior Golden Gloves ‘Outstanding Boxer’, those just a few of his prestigious accolades. Vazquez’ unblemished professional record consists of all four of his bouts being conducted in Mexico (age restrictions not allowing him to fight here in the United States) that maybe a blessing in disguise, him now enjoying a large Mexican fan base. Attorneys who have a financial interest in young Vazquez are seeking a waiver allowing him to fight at 17 years-old, the present minimum age requirement being 18. The Vazquez family consists of Damien, father Oscar, mother Cindy and five sisters, Brittany, Liz, Alexis, Cameran and Emmali who have always been his biggest supporters both inside and outside the ring, the entire family being on board with the move to Las Vegas when Damien was just 14 years-old. Having been signed initially by Golden Boy Promotions, Vazquez ended that relationship on a positive note and was recently signed to an attractive 4 year contract by (new to the boxing promotions game) Antonio Gates of the NFL San Diego Chargers, who feels giving young Vazquez every opportunity to succeed is his own way of ‘giving back’, making Vazquez his first contracted fighter under the AG Promotions banner. Gates, a native of Detroit, Michigan, has a solid background in boxing (his grandfather a boxer) and has been specific in declaring his support for the exciting flyweight prospect Vazquez, his own success as a professional football player allowing him to now help others prosper and be financially successful in a sport where failure ‘after the fact’ is common. “Antonio Gates came to us with an exceptional offer”, began Oscar Vazquez. “There was a generous signing bonus with a 4-year deal that includes a monthly stipend with Damien guaranteed at least three fight’s in front of his Colorado fans, something very important to us, we having never forgotten the love and support offered us by the Colorado amateur boxing community”. Understanding conditioning is of great concern when a 16 years-old kid is going up against men 25 and 26 years-old who are older not only physically but mentally, those concerns are quickly alleviated by those observing ‘Sugar’ conduct his twice daily workouts. Ramon Ayayla and Jonathan Gonzalez are tough, seasoned professional sparring partners helping Vazquez develop skills necessary to further his career. Oscar Vazquez will be doing some matchmaking for AG Promotions with light heavyweight Tony Harrison (17-0, 14 KO’s) now under contract and joining young Vazquez on the growing list of ‘elite prospects’ signed by AG Promotions. Gates is taking this venture very seriously, him looking to purchase a home and an AG Promotions training facility in Las Vegas, that giving his fighters every advantage possible. Also helping train Damien is older brother and former junior featherweight World Champion Israel ‘Magnifico’ Vazquez (44-5, 32KO’s), who sees big things in Damien’s future. Referring to his younger sibling as “a special young man and a special fighter”, Israel Vazquez has seen Damien dominate sparring partners much older and experienced. Israel has been present at every fight camp of his younger brother arriving in camp 3 weeks prior offering his expertise. Training out of the Israel Vazquez Magnifico Boxing Gym in South Gate, California, and Johnny Tocco’s Boxing Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, Damien ‘Sugar’ Vazquez does indeed seem to be ‘something special’, AG Promotions obviously feeling the same way. Vazquez looks to have his first Colorado fight since turning pro in Longmont (Raul ‘Romo’ Utajara, Ghost Town Promotions) sometime in early June (an opponent yet to be determined) him and his family returning home to Colorado for training camp some three weeks before the fight with camp held at the Strictly Boxing Gym (Rick Lopez, Sr.) in Brighton. On an interesting and refreshing note, Damien ‘Sugar’ Vazquez has his priorities in order, his preparations for ‘life after boxing’ already in place. “I understand a long running boxing career is not good for my health and I’m not sure if attending college is in my immediate plans but I hope to have an outstanding run that allows me to retire at maybe 25-26 years-old. I plan on investing my money in businesses where I can enjoy helping others see their dream of being successful become a reality while realizing my investment in them become profitable as well”, said the beyond his years in maturity, Damien ‘Sugar’ Vazquez. You can follow Damien ‘Sugar’ Vazquez on Facebook and twitter @SugarVazquez. Stephen Johnson is the Denver Boxing Examiner
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 13:13:22 +0000
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