Nickname: The Torch
Phoenix Arizona's Johnny Vasquez turned professional May 1, 1989. He was a successful amateur, and began his pro career with a 2nd round tko over Albuquerque's Chino Sanchez.
He ran his record to 7-0, winning 5 by knockoout before being put in with another hot prospect, Las Vegas Nevada's Les "Fabulous" Fabri (11-1-2) on the undercard of Michael Carbajal/Tony DeLuca. It was a close fight that went the full 8 rounds, but it was the light hitting/slick boxing Fabri that got the split decision win in the battle of promising southpaws.
Johnny's first loss didn't slow him down at all. It was a good showing against a respected and crafty boxer, and less than a month later, Vasquez returned with a unanimous decision win against another young hot-shot - El Salvador's Frank Avelar (6-1). Johnny "The Torch" was back on track.
After 5 more wins against relatively easy opposition, Vasquez stepped up for a chance at his first title belt. He would put his 13-1 record on the line against former WBC Continental America's Super Flyweight Champion - Roland Gomez (21-4). The bout was for the Bantamweight version of Gomez's former title, and it was a great night at the Pointe Resort in Phoenix as the local favorite put on an exhibition of boxing skill that earned him a clear and decisive unanimous decision win over the 12-round distance in front of a national television audience via Univision network. That win was followed 3 months later with another impressive win in his first title defense against a former holder of that title - Jorge Fuentes Martinez (14-4) via 7th round technical knockout.
After a solid 10 round win over Lucilo Nolasco, Vasquez was named as the challenger for the USBA Bantamweight championship against undefeated Eddie Cook (14-0). It was an interesting matchup of two fringe contenders looking to make a move into world title contention. The bout was televised on ESPN's Top Rank Boxing series. The champion had too much fire-power as he stopped Vasquez in round 7. It was a mild setback for Johnny Vasquez, but it didn't derail his dreams.
He was always willing to take on any challenge, and he bounced back in tough fashion, winning a 10 round unanimous decision over Pablo Valenzuela (21-4-3) and then followed that with a brutal match against highly regarded undefeated contender Rudy Zavala (15-0) which ended in an 8-round draw! That fight was so good a rematch was immediately made but this time it was for the vacant NABF Jr. Featherweight title belt. It was another great battle with plenty of back-and-forth action and when the scorecards were read, it was Zavala remaining unbeaten via close unanimous decision.
Vasquez would next face a surprisingly tough Martin Gallegos of Mexico in a 10-round main event bout that went the distance in Johnny's favor. The bout was so good that Gallegos was offered a return match, this time for the vacant Arizona State Featherweight title, and it was Vasquez who showed his class via 5th round tko, picking up another title belt.
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| Vasquez wins the Arizona State Title in rematch with Gallegos |
Vasquez would not fight for another title, but he did run off a 10-fight winning streak that included wins over World Title challeger - Eddie Rangel, and a majority decision win over rugged Vinnie Ponzio, before losing in his final professional bout against former WBA World Champion Israel Contreras. That brutal bout turned out to be the final pro bout for both fighters.
Johnny Vasquez ended his very active professional campaign, fighting 34 professional bouts in just 6 years. His final record, an impressive 29 wins, 4 defeats, and 1 draw. He thrilled boxing fans with his busy and bold boxing style. Taking on any challenge, and always performed solidly. He was a well respected professional and we are glad to remember him here!
Check out Johnny's complete professional record: JOHNNY VASQUEZ - boxrec
If you would like to see Johnny "The Torch" Vasquez in action, I have the following bouts on DVD:
JOHNNY VASQUEZ vs
FRANK AVELAR [w-6] (*Not Complete: Rounds 1 & 2 of 6 ONLY)
VICTOR ROJAS [ko-1]
ROLAND GOMEZ [w-12] {WBC Cont Am Bantam}
EDDIE COOK [tko-by-7] {USBA Bantam}
RUDY ZAVALA #1 [Draw-8]
RUDY ZAVALA #2 [L-12] {Vac NABF Jr. Feather}
MARTIN GALLEGOS #2 [ko-5] {Vac Arizona State Jr. Feather}
MARIO LOZANO #2 [tko-3]
MANUEL ROBLES [w-8] (Rds. 6-8 of 8 ONLY) (*Dan Judge)
JESUS CHAVEZ [tko-2] {Vacant IBC Jr. Feather} (*Dan Judge)
EDDIE RANGEL [tko-6]
VINNIE PONZIO [w-6]
ISRAEL CONTRERAS [tko-by-9] (*Johnny Vasquez's LAST pro bout)
Amateur:
Fidel Briceno (82PALNatls)
Steve Young (87ABFNatls)
VICTOR ROJAS [ko-1]
ROLAND GOMEZ [w-12] {WBC Cont Am Bantam}
EDDIE COOK [tko-by-7] {USBA Bantam}
RUDY ZAVALA #1 [Draw-8]
RUDY ZAVALA #2 [L-12] {Vac NABF Jr. Feather}
MARTIN GALLEGOS #2 [ko-5] {Vac Arizona State Jr. Feather}
MARIO LOZANO #2 [tko-3]
MANUEL ROBLES [w-8] (Rds. 6-8 of 8 ONLY) (*Dan Judge)
JESUS CHAVEZ [tko-2] {Vacant IBC Jr. Feather} (*Dan Judge)
EDDIE RANGEL [tko-6]
VINNIE PONZIO [w-6]
ISRAEL CONTRERAS [tko-by-9] (*Johnny Vasquez's LAST pro bout)
Amateur:
Fidel Briceno (82PALNatls)
Steve Young (87ABFNatls)
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