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12/13/2006 Archived Entry: "Jaime 'Jimmy' Sandoval Reflects on his Latest Win, the Closing of Windy City Gym and Training"
Jaime 'Jimmy' Sandoval Reflects on his Latest Win, the Closing of Windy City Gym and Training
By Juan C. Ayllon
Lead photo by Tom Barnes
Jaime Sandoval (left) batters Reggie Nash in February 2006
CHICAGO –At roughly 6’ tall and 135 lbs., 25 year-old Jaime “Superfly” Sandoval is lanky and towers over his older brother.
That’s not uncommon. However, his older brother just happens to be the World Champ. Make that the 5’ 5” International Boxing Federation Lightweight Title holder Jesus “El Matador” Chavez (43-3, 30 KO’s).
Soft-spoken and a boxer in the lightweight division himself, Jimmy—as he likes to be called—lets his fists do the talking. He won the 2002 Chicago Golden Gloves representing Windy City Gym at 132 lbs. As a professional, he’s compiled a record of 13-1 with 11 knockouts.
This last June, Sandoval won the Vacant Illinois State Super Featherweight Title when his opponent, Peter Cantu retired in the fourth round of a scheduled eight round fight.
In his most recent bout on December 9th, Sandoval knocked out one Terrence Roy (8-19-0, 1 KO) at 2:10 into the fourth round.
Recently picked up by Silver Hawk Promotions, Sandoval has been steadily honing his skills.
In the wake of news that Windy City Gym will be closing its doors, Sandoval granted me an interview.
JUAN AYLLON: First, tell us about your fight versus Terrence Roy.
JIMMY SANDOVAL: It went great! I dropped him once in the third round and then three other times in the fourth and then, after that, he couldn’t continue.
JA: How did you feel about your training?
JS: I had a great training camp. I was training down in Texas with my brother and Fernando Vastrejo.
The guy I fought was like 5’ 5” or 5’ 4” and I was sparring with Raul Martinez. They’re about the same height, so that turned out to be pretty good.
JA: What are your thoughts on the closing of Windy City Gym?
JS: I feel kind of sad. I come down here to get work with [head trainer] Sam Colonna and it’s kind of sad because the gym’s closing. That’s where I started off—there.
I started off there. I fought with Sam about 25 amateur fights. I didn’t have a big amateur career. And all my pro fights, I trained there. Except the last two; I started going down to Texas to train.
“I’m going to have to end up going down to Texas to hold my training camps. All my training camps are going to start being there now. Like I was saying, I signed with Silver Hawk not too long ago. One of the trainers that I train with is one of Silver Hawk’s trainers. We’ve had a good relationship, too.”
JA: Are you training with your brother then?
JS: Well, yeah. Actually, we’ve been helping each other for the last five, six months. We’ve been helping each other out. He’ll have to defend his title against Julio Diaz in February.
It’s just been busy. Once I signed with Silver Hawk, it’s been nothing but going, ‘go, go, go! Keep training, keep training’ non-stop, which is a good thing.
JA: Any ideas of what’s next?
JS: I think I’m fighting January 12th down in Tampa. As of so far, that’s the only thing scheduled for now.
JA: And do you know who your opponent would be?
JS: No, I wouldn’t know at this time.
JA: Do you have any immediate goals in the next six months or so?
JS: Not at this time—it’s just whatever Silver Hawk Promotions and my manager tell me—what my next step is, you know? Since I didn’t have a big amateur career, they’re just taking it one step at a time.
JA: Now for the person who hasn’t seen you fight yet, how would you describe your style?
JS: I’m a boxer. I like to box and mix it up a little bit if I have to. I’m a boxer-brawler.
JA: And your favorite punch is?
JS: I love the body shots!
JA: And, for a lot of people who don’t know, I got the state title in January, I believe—the Illinois State Title. A lot of people just didn’t know, ‘cause I fought (and won it) on that Polish show in January, I believe, down in Villa Park. I won the state title there.
JA: That’s terrific. Tell me, is there anything you want to say to the fans?
JS: Just to have a look out for me. Hopefully, I’ll come back to Chicago and put on a performance here (and) defend that state title here in Chicago for the first time.
And, just, me and Rick Ramos have been working together, so. You know, he’s got his management thing going. So, just a shout out to him! He’s gonna try and to do things for Chicago and Chicago boxing.
* * *
Sandoval has his hand raised (photo courtesy of Rick Ramos)
We’ll pass the word on, Jimmy. Just keep doing what you’re doing and who knows? Maybe you’ll emulate your brother’s success.
