Alex Sanchez attack © AP

After the dismantling of Alex "Nene" Sanchez, from the hands of Mexican Champ Hugo Cazares, the Puerto Rican, now 31-6,21 KOs, didn't need to think twice about his future. As soon as the fight ended in round eight, Nene grabbed the mike and announced his retirement. "I would like to apologize to my people of Ponce for not being able to win at home, but that's it for me -- no more Nene."

In fact, midway through Cazares' post fight conference a beaten, tired, but candid Sanchez entered unexpectedly and ever so gracefully gave merits to the WBO light flyweight champ from Los Mochis. "I know I shouldn't be here right now since it's the champs turn to answer questions but I just want to say that my respects go out to you (Hugo), you're a true champion, you defeated Dieppa and me and you deserve all honors." Immediately after that, he turned to the press, thanked his fans, his team, and the press and reiterated that he was through in the sport.

The defending champion, for his part, was very satisfied with his performance. "I'm very satisfied with the way I did my job tonight, I know Nene was a very good champion and that he had a lot of fans here but I was able to maintain the fight plan and I'm satisfied with my win." The champ who now has a record of 21-3, 14 KOs admitted that his decision to switch stance early in the fight was not so much a strategic move but rather because he encountered some problems. "The switch to southpaw was mostly because I hurt my left hand a few times, it wasn't something that threw me off, but I decided to try and switch stance and I saw that it worked well."

Although the answer to that question is still uncertain, there are several probabilities simmering in the Cazares opponent list. Shortly after the fight was stopped, former champion Nelson Dieppa was heard around the stadium yelling "Rematch". Hugo however didn't pay him any attention.

On the other hand, when asked if a match against current minimumweight champion Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon would be attractive for Cazares, he wasted no time in stating his availability. "I have no problem with giving Calderon a shot at the title."

However, both Calderon and his manager Peter Rivera seemed to have other plans for the time being, although a match up wasn't exactly ruled out. "I really like working with Cazares but the decision falls on Ivan's shoulders, he lets me know if he wants to move up or stay at 105 lbs," said Rivera.

While the "Iron Boy" also gave out his opinion, and to no surprise, it had a dollar sign on it. "If the money is right I would have no problems in taking the risks against a much taller opponent like Hugo, but it has to be a very tempting offer because I'm comfortable at my weight of 105."