HOLM, MARTINEZ & MONTOYA RETURN FEBRUARY 24TH
By Andy Rivera

Albuquerque boxers Holly Holm, David Martinez and Lee Montoya will head-line the next boxing card February 24th at Isleta Casino, the announcement was made Monday by Fresquez Productions who will promote the card. Holm will defend her 140 world title against Shadina Pennybaker. Pennybaker is 9-4-1 and has been in the ring with Lalia Ali. Martinez will look for his second straight win since suffering his first loss last June. Martinez will battle veteran Julio Coronell. Popular Welterweight Lee Montoya will return after he also suffered his first loss on the same card as Martinez. Montoya will take on Jeremiah Torres in a rematch, the two battled in what was a close fight until Montoya landed a powerful right hand that put Torres face first and ended the night.
Another fighter fans should keep an eye on is Bloomfield, New Mexico's Joe Gomez. Gomez 6-1, will take on Santa Fe's Rubel Tofoya, Gomez has a win over rising prospect Vicente Garcia.

Holm fresh off her biggest wins in her career when she defeated Christy Martin & Mia St. John in back to back wins late in 2005, is looking to keep her career rolling and remain Albuquerque's biggest draw. Her opponent Shadina Pennybaker has other ideas in mind. "I want to come in her and just fight and track her down, I know she likes to run, but I'll be prepared for whatever she has." states Pennybaker. Pennybaker also believes Holm's victories over Martin and St. John are not as big of victories as many think. "Mia St. John doesn't count because Mia can't fight, Christy was a good fighter but she's ancient other then that she hasn't fought anybody in their prime."

The humbler Holm, thinks the fight will keep her busy in what she feels can be a bigger year then 2005. "Last year was my breakout year with Martin & St. John, but in 06' we look to keep the momentum going forward."

David Martinez will battle Julio Coronell in a bantamweight contest, Martinez is looking for his second straight win since suffering his first setback last June, when he was halted by Tomas Villa. Martinez hasn't let the let the loss damper his hopes of becoming a world champion. Martinez took some time then got right back on track, defeating Elvis Martinez in December.

Coronell will prove to be a good test for Martinez, as he has been in with several world champions including Michael Carbajal, Saman Sorjaturong & Tim Austin to name a few. This bout will show how far Martinez has progressed as a professional.

Another fighter who is looking to get back on track is Lee Montoya, Montoya who also had his first setback the same night as Martinez, when he was halted by Freddie Hernandez. Montoya who looks to have his personal issues in order will take on rival Jeremiah Torres. The two battled to a close fight in 2004, Torres may have had the edge going into the sixth and final round when Montoya landed a crushing right had flush on Torres jaw, which ended matters.

Torres is 7-9 and excited to get a rematch with Montoya, but Torres seems to have Vicente Garcia on his mind. When Torres took the mic, he talked about fighting Garcia again rather then Montoya, which could be a death wish considering he doesn't have a good chin and Montoya is one of the hardest punchers in the welterweight division.

Rounding out the fight card which is being promoted by Fresqurez Productions will be Joe Gomez (6-1)out of Bllomfield, New Mexico, whom promoter Lenny Fresquez has high hopes for. Gomez a tall, well mannered welterweight and former  WBC Mundo-Latino champion will take on Santa Fe's Rubel Tafoya.

Donnell Wade will take on Clint Rhodes in a super-middleweight bout, and rounding out the card will be Willie Villanueva making he pro debut against Caesar Holguin who is also entering the pro-ranks.

Tickets are already on sale at the Isleta Casino ticket office or at www.tickets.com
Keep checking back as we will have interviews coming n the next few weeks leading up to the fight.