ACOMA PUEBLO — For the third time, Joaquin Zamora will have the biggest fight of his life Saturday.

The first two times, Zamora won but didn't reap the benefits he expected. Maybe the third time will be more charming for the Santa Fe boxer. Saturday night, Zamora (17-2-1) will face Joshua Renteria (15-2) of Tucson in the main event of a seven-fight card at Sky City Casino.

Last year, Zamora scored a second-round TKO over Ray Sanchez III in what was supposed to be a big break for Zamora. But instead of getting attention for the win, everyone said he beat a Sanchez who was washed up.

Last fall, Zamora fought on a Top Rank card at Rio Rancho's Santa Anna Star Center and won. But he was knocked down in the first round, and Top Rank was not impressed.

"I don't think the win over Sanchez was the boost I thought it would be," Zamora says. "I'd say that fight gave Joaquin a bigger name locally, but it did nothing for him out of the state," explains promoter Juan Romero, who says that Bob Arum and Bruce Trampler of Top Rank will be at Saturday's fights. "We have a problem getting him fights."

Zamora's phone does ring occasionally, but not with good offers.

"They'll call and give me four days or a week's notice. I need a month and a half to two months. I always stay sharp, I always stay in the ring with Al Lovato training me, but I want to really prepare for a fight."

As a slow starter, Zamora has a history of problems in the first round. "We're going to switch up his gameplan," Romero says. "He'll be ready in the first round from now on."

Also on the card is Arturo Crespin of Las Vegas, N.M. Crespin is 2-0 with one knockout, and he'll go against Carlos Sanchez (2-0) of Albuquerque.

"I had my last fight on Nov. 19. I've had a lot of almosts since then. Boxing is no game for me. I've had a goal since I was small of winning a world title. This is my way up the ladder," said the 19-year-old Crespin, who is a West Las Vegas High graduate and lives on the family ranch. "My dad was a boxer. He had 100 amateur fights and won a PAL (Police Athletic League) championship.

"I know this will be a tough fight," Crespin notes. "Everybody who fights me, wants to beat me."