Boxing: Portillo doesn't have to look far for support

MIDLAND It is to the point now that boxer Edgar Portillo's training is mostly his responsibility. Yet he says his family's conditioning allowed him to take such accountability.

Portillo, set to fight in the main event at the Gladiators of Boxing eight-bout event at 7 tonight at the Far West Event Center, still sometimes relies on those closest to him to keep him sharp.

He does not have a full-time trainer. But, in a way, he has around-the-clock supervision.

Portillo (4-2) lives at home with his parents. His father, Martin Portillo, fought in amateur bouts as a teenager in Plainview. He's also as close as it gets to a trainer, usually supervising his 18-year-old son's evening sessions (he has two two-and-half-hour workouts, the first in the morning).

Martin Portillo doesn't have to go far to watch his son.

The Portillos have a small facility at their home to use as a gym. There, Martin Portillo can observe and help out. In the house, he and his wife can shake an index finger when the boxer goes for a Doritos chip.

"We all try to help him out to maintain his weight and everything," Martin Portillo said at the event's weigh-in Friday at a Best Western near the Midland International Airport. "We stay on him to keep weight."

When Edgar Portillo saw his father participate in a couple of Toughman Contests 13 years ago, he immediately wanted to go into the ring. It was interest at a very young age, but his father has been there along the way.

"My dad has been training me since I started, since I was 9 years old," he said. "I'm going on 10 years already (boxing). My family has been helping with the support and everything."

Portillo weighed in at 129 pounds, while his opponent, Ramiro Torres (3-17-1), of San Antonio, was at 129.8 pounds.

Portillo is one of two locals participating today. The other is Krystle Davis (3-2, 179.8 pounds), who will go against Saginaw's Takisha James, who is making her professional debut.

The fact that Davis and Portillo are able to be on the same card in a local event is notable, West Texas Combat Promotions president Rudi Munoz said.

"Krystle's last fight was three years ago," Munoz said. "Because nothing like this happened before, now she's fighting again because of the WTC. We created the WTC locally, and now she doesn't have to fly or drive a long distance ... she's got the people's support and at the same time she is opening the window and the door for fighters behind her."

Munoz said the company plans to look out for quality opponents for their local boxers. Jaime Villa of Midland was originally scheduled to participate today but an opponent could not be found, Munoz said.

Still, Munoz hopes to insert boxers like Villa in as many local events as possible. That's partly why Munoz transitioned from a manger to a promoter.

 "We used to go and be under some other umbrellas, so then I became a promoter so that way I can give more opportunities to the local talent," he said.

Portillo's opponent, Torres, knows he is entering a fight with Portillo having basically a hometown advantage. Yet the southpaw is undaunted.

"I'm not too worried about that," said Torres, adding that his record was partly a result of what he considered early stoppages. "Most of the time it works in their favor because it's their hometown. But my biggest thing I have is my faith in God, and let Him take care of the rest."

THE BASICS

>> What: Gladiators of Boxing.

>> When: 7 p.m. today; doors open at 5:30 p.m.

>> Where: Far West Event Center.

>> Local participants: Krystle Davis (3-2, 2 KO), of Odessa; Edgar Portillo (4-2), of Midland.

>> Format: Eight bouts; two female bouts with four two-minute rounds, others with four three-minute rounds; one mixed martial arts bout.

>> Tickets: available at the box office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the door; 10 years old and under, free; 10-18 years old, $15; 19 years old and over, $35.

FIGHT CARD

Gladiators of Boxing.

Listed from first bout to main event

Matchmakers' note: subject to change

>> Alfred Dixon (0-0, 173 pounds), Abilene, vs. Freddie Juarez (0-1), Dallas.

>> Christina Ruiz (0-0, 128.6), San Antonio, vs. Brandi Hainey (0-0, 129), Lubbock.

>> Valentino Jalomo (2-3-2, 169.4), Amarillo, vs. Hanson Thacker (1-1), Cedar Hill.

>> Forrest Curry (0-2, 139), Fort Worth, vs. Cesar Valenzuela (0-0, 135.8).

>> Johnny Vasquez (0-0, 135.2), Snyder, vs. Pedro Dominguez (2-0, 135), Lewisville.

>> Jeremy Valderaz (0-0, 124.2), Lubbock, vs. Cesar Rodriguez (124), Abilene.

>> Krystle Davis (2-3, 179.8), Odessa, vs. Takisha James (0-0, 174.2), Saginaw.

>> Edgar Portillo (4-2, 129), Midland, vs. Ramiro Torres (3-17-1, 129.8), San Antonio.