Undefeated El Paso boxer seeks to keep unbeaten mark next week in San Antonio

Derick Primero has long harbored dreams of being a professional boxer and finding success in a sport not always easy to navigate.

But the 2019 Montwood graduate is making his way through the professional ranks and is 2-0 in his young pro career while fighting at 115 pounds.

"I only had seven amateur fights because of the weight class I was in and my age, I had a hard time finding fights," Primero said. "But I got some experience in a few fights and I feel I'm ready. I tried other sports in high school and that helped me as well. But as a professional boxer, I'm where I want to be and I want to take a chance at being the best I can be."

Primero is fortunate enough to have someone close to him as he learns the pro game. His father, Evaristo Primero, went 15-15-1 in his career and fought top quality opponents including the late Johnny Tapia of Albuquerque. Tapia was a star at 115, 118 and 126 pounds and Evaristo Primero went the 10-round distance with him.

"My dad knows the sport, he worked hard and unfortunately, he didn't have some of the connections I have in the sport in terms of promotion," Derick Primero said. "I've learned so much from him and he's helped guide me so much."

Derick Primero is promoted by Promociones Del Pueblo and has fought his first two fights in Juarez. But next Friday in San Antonio, he gets a chance to fight at the Boeing Center at Tech Port against 3-2 Jaime Jasso of Laredo in a scheduled four-round fight at 115 pounds.

While the fight isn't scheduled to be on television, it's part of a televised Showtime Card which features up and coming young fighters.

"It's a great opportunity and Im feeling all of the emotions leading up to the fight," Derick Primero said. "But I feel good physically and I'm ready. It's a great opportunity in front of me and I'm confident and hopeful. I've been working hard and I feel my boxing skills are improving."

Said Evaristo Primero: "He's a good boxer, he has good skills. He's like me but hits harder, he's stronger."

Derick Primero is fortunate to have a strong sparring partner in Ariel "Apache" Moreno, Jr., who just improved to 9-0 last week with a second-round stoppage of Jorge Dominguez in Juarez. Moreno, Jr. fights at 122 pounds.

"He's been a great resource," Derick Primero said of Moreno, Jr. "I've learned from him. He's a strong fighter and he's had more pro fights than me, so I've watched how he prepares, how he handles things."

Lou Anello works the corner with Derick Primero and Moreno and has high hopes for Derick Primero as a professional.

"He's got great footwork," said Anello of Derick Primero. "He's working hard, he's always wanting to get better and learn. He's got a great opportunity in front of him. His opponent next week is tough. Derick has been preparing well."

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Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso boxer Derick Primero has hopes for professional career