Boxer Vazquez thrives with sound mind and body

By John Henry

Special to the Star-Telegram

One need only look into the eyes to realize that his mind is as sharp as his hands are quick.

He's well-spoken, polite, oozes confidence, and he's dependable and loyal. Even the briefest of conversations will make any number of grown men wonder where they went wrong.

No, he's not the most interesting man in the world.

He's Edward Vazquez, a 17-year-old junior from Fort Worth Arlington Heights who has goals, all of which revolve around this boxing wunderkind's willingness to work and capability to mix it up in the ring.

His coaches and trainers all agree that his goals of a distinguished amateur career and a place in the professional ranks are all within reach for the “the poster child” of Reyes Boxing.

The next stop for the defending 141-pound Texas State Junior Olympic champion is the 77th Regional Golden Gloves tournament, which begins at 7 tonight at the John Justin Arena on the grounds of the Will Rogers Memorial Center and runs through Saturday.

“Edward has a big future,” said his trainer, Tony Cabello. “He's great in school, he's great in the gym.

“He has everything in place right now. He's clicking.”

Vazquez, who was the runner-up in the national Junior Olympic tournament, has evolved into a serious up-an-comer under the tutelage of the guys at Reyes, which is seeking its fifth consecutive Golden Gloves Regional team title.

“It's a dream and I need to protect it,” said Vazquez of his boxing ambitions. “Keep working hard in the gym, keep my grades up, listen [to his coaches] and my family and keep my eyes ahead of me.”

Vazquez, the Texas State Junior Olympic champion and national runner-up in his class over the summer in Mobile, Ala., seeks an individual title in the 141-pound open division.

Being technically sound and having a good mind – not to mention a “great counter-puncher” – are key assets for Vazquez, said Cabello, who added that he believed his fighter has the quickest hands in the 141-pound division.

“He's not a dumb fighter,” Cabello said. “He counters everything he throws and stays behind his jab.”

He is, Cabello said, the poster child of Reyes, a guy whose routine begins at 6 every morning with a run of upwards of three miles before school and ends about 10:30 when a three-hour gym session is followed by homework.

In addition to all his positive traits, Vazquez also brings some valuable experience of a sparring partner who is one of the best fighters at his weight in the world.

Robert Marroquin, a Top Rank boxer, is 22-2 as a professional after having lost a a junior featherweight title fight against Guillermo Rigondeaux in October.

Marroquin is training under Paul Reyes, the corner man for former world champions Donald Curry and Paulie Ayala.

“It's awesome,” said Vazquez, who was a captain on the Heights football team last season. “It's punishment sometimes, but it's great to work with someone with that experience. He teaches me a lot.”

Vazquez has been sparring with older boxers since he asked his father to sign him up for boxing as a Christmas gift when he was 7 years old.

His mother would have preferred a nice Tonka Toy or some such, especially after her son's first sparring session with an older, more experienced boy caused marks that drew blood.

“My wife wanted to kill me,” his father said.

Following the heart of their young prodigy turned out to the right decision, he says now.

“If I had about 70 Edwards [in the club], I'd be fine,” Cabello said. “He's the perfect kid.”

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