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It is appropriate that Antonio DeMarco is fighting at Las Vegas’ Treasure Island Casino tonight, since he was a diamond in the rough until the underappreciated Shobox series brought the Tijuana treasure to light. DeMarco is a lanky southpaw with certifiable knockout power, whose team might be hampering his progress by overemphasizing his measured boxing skills from long range. But much like Arturo Gatti, at some point DeMarco breaks from his chains and tears into opponents when an opportunity presents itself. The 23-year-old has virtually grown up in front of Showtime audiences, this is his sixth appearances on the network in two years, and DeMarco is sure to graduate to a world title fight with a victory over former champion Jose Alfaro.
The last time DeMarco was on Showtime he stopped tough African Anges Adjaho, in a fight deemed to be an eliminator for the WBC’s lightweight belt. Defeating Adjaho virtually assured DeMarco a title fight against Venezuelan power puncher Edwin Valero early next year. Instead of standing pat on the insight straight DeMarco’s team is rolling the dices against Nicaraguan Jose Alfaro, who is currently rated second by the WBC. A major reason for this is that the WBC has decided to approve their bout as an “interim” title, and reassure DeMarco that champion Edwin Valero will be compelled to fight him for the full title in early 2010. DeMarco’s brain trust also sees this as an opportunity to improve, and gain more experience before challenging someones of Valero’s stature. All that aside, the DeMarco – Alfaro fight is electrifying on paper.
The match-up is the opener for today’s Showtime telecast, the main event features King Kong Agbeko vs. Yonnhy Perez, and pits two men that have combined to knock out 36 of their 45 opponents. Neither is shy about taking the lead on offense, and both have shown killer instinct at crucial moments of fights. Not much separates the pair on paper. In term of size DeMarco has a two-and-a-half inch height advantage, 5’10” to Alfaro’s 5’7 1/2”, but DeMarco only enjoys an half-inch edge in reach. DeMarco is also a southpaw, and two of Alfaro’s four losses have come against lefthanders. Importantly both men are nearing their physical primes, Alfaro at 25 with DeMarco two years younger, and should be emboldened by the knowledge that the winner is assured a title shot.
World title fights are nothing new to Alfaro, who briefly held the WBA lightweight title by defeating Thai Prawet Singwancha (in Germany of all places?) before losing it in his first defense to Yusuke Kobori in Japan. Although Alfaro has fought for and won an alphabet title, a comparison of the duo’s record shows that DeMarco has faced the tougher overall opposition. Even so, Alfaro maintains his status as a former champion is a blessing. “The first time around, I thought I could knock out anybody with one punch. I was world champ, and did not think I’d ever get beat. When I lost the title, it was a very hard experience, one I’ll never forget, but also one I learned a lot from. It was not a good experience, but I gained valuable experience from it.”
Despite Alfaro’s status as a young former title holder, it is Antonio DeMarco who is seen as the rising star. He enters on a 15 fight winning streak, and has not lost a bout since dropping a majority decision in early 2006 before his tenth pro contest. DeMarco has a fan friendly style, which can be compared to that of former lightweight champion Rafael Ruelas. Like Ruelas, DeMarco is a much better inside fighter than his lanky frame would suggest, and does not need to get full extension on his punches to damage opponents. In past appearances on Showtime it was easy to see that his team has been working on developing more of an outside game for DeMarco. They have tried to keep their charge from engaging in too many toe to toe exchanges with opponents, but at times it seems to make DeMarco hesitant and less fluid with his punches. Perhaps, Alfaro is the kind of opponent they were preparing DeMarco for on those previous occasions?
The Mexican native prepares for every fight at Tijuana’s CREA gym, under the watchful gaze of trainer Romulo Quirarte. DeMarco already serves as an inspiration to others at the gym, telling boxing writer Felipe Leon. “The truth is that it gives me a great motivation to keep going forward because this gym here. It is like a family, we are very respectful of each other and we all treat each other the same. I feel like any other fighter here in the gym, I train as hard as before, if not harder.” DeMarco feels work is not the only ingredient needed to succeed. “Humility is what helps to make you great, and the consistency in the gym. Being the person you have always been is what is going to help me be greater than a world champion.” DeMarco is married with one child as well, so he does not lack for motivation.
The upside of DeMarco is immense, but it has not been entirely smooth sailing for the contender. Last year he struggled to figure out slick Puerto Rican counterpuncher Jose Reyes, winning a split decision, and if DeMarco had not scored a flash knockdown in the third round he would have had to settle for a draw. Reyes continually landed straight right hands, and as the fight wore on DeMarco was baffled by an inability to control range. Two of the judges did not give a round to DeMarco from the ninth on, a proper reflection on the lack of punches DeMarco put forth. Given performances since that outing, and previous to it, is seems the lack of punches was more of a product of frustration than stamina. In other fights DeMarco looked to be caught between styles as well, which will not serve him well against elite fighters.
Without looking past Jose Alfaro, the youngster is enthused by the prospect of squaring off against the best in the world. The ultimate goal is to get in the ring with Edwin Valero next year, who has knocked out all 25 of his opponents to date, and DeMarco openly welcomes the challenge. “I hope it can happen in the future, but first I have to deal with Alfaro, which is not an easy fight. I feel that I am physically and mentally ready to defeat him (Valero), and that is the fight that I want.” Then quickly reverted to the task at hand. “This is really a reward for all the hard work I’ve put in. Alfaro is a good, strong boxer and former world champion who likes to come forward. This might be my toughest fight, but it’s a good ‘styles’ fight for me. It is very important that I maintain focus.”
If DeMarco does lack focus, an eager opponent is ready to make him pay for the indiscretion. Jose Alfaro is elated with his preparations for the fight, and he left training camp looking stronger than ever physically. “My training sessions are very exhaustive, with four minutes rounds and 30 second rest periods. Every two rounds a new boxer comes in (four sparring partners in total). All this training forces me to constantly be putting pressure on my opponent.” Adding that, “The road to success is a hard one. That is why I have been training like a mad man in the gym. I can’t afford to have a bad round. But style-wise, this is a very good fight for me. DeMarco is hungry as well therefore, I guarantee that this will be a war.”
While Alfaro has fought in Europe, Asia, as well as South and Central America, this will be both men’s initial trip to Las Vegas. DeMarco has fought the majority of his fights in the USA, but this marks the first time Alfaro has set foot in an American ring. DeMarco is amped by the backdrop for the fight. "To fight in Las Vegas is a dream for any fighter, but at the same time it is more pressure since the fight is for a title. I am confident and ready." Previous experiences have prepared Alfaro for the Vegas scene, so the venue should not hold an advantage for either man. Given the attacking styles of both fighters, the notoriously fickle Vegas judges will not have to make a choice between dissimilar ring traits. All the pieces for an exciting 12 rounds seem to have fallen into place. Now it is up to one of the contenders to fashion himself in a challenger at the expense of the other.
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