National Guard veteran contemplates a possible ring return, talks about the military-owned security company he's invested in and the upcoming birth of his fourth daughter.
It has been more than a year since Sammy Vasquez Jr. was stopped in the sixth round by former champion Luis Collazo. It was his second straight setback to a fellow southpaw and first by knockout after being previously unbeaten.
Before his unanimous decision loss to Felix Diaz in July 2016, Vasquez had stopped 10 of his previous 12 opponents.
“Sergeant” Vasquez—a National Guard veteran who turns 32 in April and did two tours of duty in Iraq—is weighing the responsibilities of his security company, the impending birth of his fourth child, and a desired return to an action-packed, talent-rich 147-pound division.
What have you been doing since your fight with Collazo?
I’ve invested in a local security business out here in Colorado. I’m going to franchise it into Pittsburgh. The business is called Bex Security.
I’m not hurting for money. But after I lost to Diaz and Collazo, you realize that it’s amazing the comparative nature of how long it takes to make the money that you do against how fast it takes to drop off.
What prompted you to consider this endeavor?
Once the money started dropping after my two losses to an Olympic gold medalist and an ex-world champion, I was like, “I really need to do something with my money.”
I’ve got another daughter on the way, so that’s going to be four girls for me and my wife. Plus, you have to realize that boxing isn’t going to last you forever.
When are you resuming your boxing career?
I have to invest my money in the right ways to be able to support my family. Once I’m able to do that, supporting my family, financially, without boxing, then I can concentrate more on fighting.
I’ll be able to do it in a manner where I don’t have to sweat bullets about boxing. I won’t have to worry about where my money is coming from, month-to-month.
But at the same time, it’s not just about me. It’s also about my family, so if I’m going to make a comeback, it’s got to be the right circumstances and I have to make sure that the money is right.
I have to be in a situation where I can actually take off for eight weeks and dedicate it to training and fighting. I know I can get right back into it because I have the right mind frame for it.
What are the ages of your daughters?
Well, I have a 4-year-old, a 9-year-old and a 10-year-old with one on the way. My fourth daughter is coming right around the corner, I mean, my wife, Delrae, is due to give birth on May 16.
“ If I go in there, I’m going in there to win. My resume shows that I do bring something to this game, and I’m a threat to anybody I fight. ” Former 147-pound contender Sammy Vasquez Jr., on a comeback fight
What are your responsibilities with Bex?
I’m managing this company, right now, and I want to remain dedicated to that 110 percent. It’s going to be a veteran-oriented company.
I’m going to hire veterans to help them out after getting out of their military responsibilities. So it’s going to be a military-run, military-owned company.
How is it going?
The owner of the company and I are working hand in hand together. I really think that this is a lucrative business, so I’m putting all of my energies into this, right now.
It’s going well, but I want to learn everything about the ins and outs of this process. I need to learn and know about the product and the business and the customer side of it.
What level of fight would you be looking for in your return?
Well, I received an offer to fight Amir Khan, and we were in the talks, trying to negotiate a fight with me coming to London, and I was on a list of guys he was considering. We were negotiating back and forth, supposedly. But I don’t think he’s going to agree to my demands for me to go all the way to England.
I was on a list of opponents for April. I had an offer, but it was a low offer. I lost to two great fighters, and I didn’t just get my ass whooped. Don’t treat me like I’m this bum. I’m not getting paid in pennies to come over there to your hometown.
I’ll do it, but I would have to go over there and knock Amir Khan out, because if I leave it up to the judges over there, there’s a high chance that I’m probably not going to win because of where it’s at. I’m not in desperate need of money, but they would have to make it worth it for me, financially, to set my family up.
Are you confident given that experience with Khan that you would be able to land a meaningful matchup in your comeback fight?
Absolutely. I have a good reputation and a good style. I’m a tough fighter and I’m a veteran and a hard worker, so I definitely have the potential to be in a good fight right away.
There are so many big names out there and so many people waiting to fight — guys like Errol Spence are waiting to fight Keith Thurman, and who is Spence going to fight in the meantime?
Spence wants a name fighter to get in the ring with him, so there’s always a top guy out there. There’s Shawn Porter and other guys I’m good friends with in the division.
And you wouldn’t be fighting to be a “step-up” or “opponent” for an up-and-coming prospect?
No sir. I would never view myself as an opponent for someone else. If I go in there, I’m going in there to win. My resume shows that I do bring something to this game, and I’m a threat to anybody I fight.
So if and when I come back, the offer will have to be a good one and the right situation. I’m not an opponent and you’re never going to treat me like an opponent.
I know I have a great style, and I know what I bring to the table. If the comeback happens, I’ll be motivated as hell to win.
For a closer look at Sammy Vasquez Jr., check out his fighter page.
