Fighter’s Corner: Aurelio Vasquez

LAPD Team-Alex Perez, John Negrete, Aurelio “El Gallo” Vasquez, Quincy Mirage, Michael Barragan, & Frank Diaz

Aurelio Vasquez, LAPD will be stepping into the ring for the first time when he faces James Smith, CHP on the Oct 6^th, 2012 Sacramento Battle of the Badges card. Vasquez was scheduled to fight in the Nevada Police & Fire Games in August, 2012 but his opponent did not pass the pre-fight physical so the fight was canceled. Smith does have a one fight experience advantage; Vasquez has the height advantage and maybe the training camp advantage. Vasquez trains with some of the best fighters in Public Safety boxing. LAPD head coach Rudy Barragan, Assistant Coaches, Frank Diaz, John Negrete and Ivan Guillermo it doesn’t get any better than having guys like that in your training camp.  This match-up makes for a great fight.

When did you start boxing? I started training for boxing in the last week of March of this year in order to try to lose weight and get in shape.  I started at around 206 lbs and I got down to 175lbs back in the 1st week of August.  I didn’t decide to actually compete until about mid-June of this year.  My friend and co-worker, Quincy Mirage had already fought once last year and said that I was pretty good and that I should try it!  I’ve always had a heavybag at home, so I knew how to throw an okay punch, but I didn’t actually start training or even hit the mitts until Quincy wore them.  And again, that wasn’t until the end of March 2012.

What gym do you train at? I was training at the Hollenbeck Youth Center all of July and 1st week of August, but I currently train at the Northeast Police Station, and I’m going to start training at Fortune Gym in Hollywood all of September in order to get ready for the fight on October 6.

Who is your coach or who taught you how to box? My dad taught me how to throw the 1, 2 combo way back when I was a kid, but he never boxed or anything.  He was just trying to teach me how to defend myself.  I never had a coach-coach work with me until my stablemate, Quincy introduced me to John Negrete, ex-LAPD Boxing Team fighter.  I met John at the end of March.  He taught me how to stand in a proper fighting stance and taught me how to throw combinations and how to defend against head and body punches, and he also showed me how to move in the ring.  He also taught me about the psychology of boxing and headgames boxers play on others, and themselves.  I later met Quran Molina on a 3-mile jog I went on with Quincy and John.  He had just gotten back from working Juan Bustamante’s corner up in Sacramento when I met him.  I overheard him and John talking about the fight on our run.  I didn’t meet Frank Diaz or Rudy Barragan until the beginning of July of this year.  They were the ones we trained with for the fights up at the Nevada Games.  I learned a lot from those guys!!  Frank taught me about footwork, counter-punching, and just how to punch more ‘wisely’.  Rudy is a real stickler for form and technique, and he doesn’t let you get away with any sloppiness.  And he doesn’t want to hear any B.S. or excuses.  He’s tough!   Quran is real good about technique and conditioning.  Since all the other guys are busy with work and stuff, I’ll be working with Q mostly for my fight in October.

How do you see your fight going with James Smith?  I think my fight with Smith will be a real crowd-pleaser!  He’s a real busy and action-packed fighter.  His style mixed with mine will definitely make for a real fun fight for all those watching!!  I like to get in there and mix it up too!  I’ve studied him ever since I found out I was fighting him. I think I can exploit and capitalize on a few of the things that he does.  Even though that fight of his that I saw on youtube was over 2 years ago, I know that old habits die hard.  But I’m sure he’s tightened up his game since then so I’m not going to take him lightly at all.  I don’t take any fight lightly.  The only advantage that I can see that I have is my height.  (I’m 5′ 9 1/2″ so I think I’m about 3-4 inches taller than him)  But that’s it!  He’s younger than me, his legs are fresher than mine, and he has tons of energy!!  And he’s tough!  And it looks like he can really punch too!  I’m really going to have my hands full with him that night!  But I’m going to do my best to put on a great fight for the fans.  I can’t wait!!!