Ruidoso Downs Race Track will host the first-ever Ruidoso Downs Pro-Am Boxing Championships to be held at the Santa Fe Furniture Events Center.

© Ruidoso Downs Race Track

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 15, 2022–Abel Navarrete, a 29-year-old undefeated boxer from Amarillo, Texas (7-0) is scheduled to fight in the main event Saturday night at Ruidoso Downs Race Track during the first-ever Ruidoso Downs Pro-Am Boxing Championships to be held at the Santa Fe Furniture Events Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The event is being called, “Rounds at the Downs” and will take place following live horse racing being held all weekend. First post for racing each day is 1 p.m.(MDT). 

Navarrete will face Armando Rodriguez (5-2) from El Paso, Texas. Both fight in the 140-pound weight division, and are scheduled for a six-round match.

A total of six professional boxing matches are on the card Saturday night beginning at approximately 6 p.m. The boxing matches are being produced by School of Hard Knocks from Hobbs, New Mexico.

“We are excited to be hosting this first-time event at the race track,” Isidro Castillo, the promoter of the boxing card said. “This will be a New Mexico Athletic Commission-sanctioned event and we hope that fans of boxing from around the region will come and support this new boxing venture with their attendance.”

Other professional boxers scheduled to compete include: Alejandro Moreno from Mexico versus Abraham Perez of Albuquerque; John Herrera of Roswell versus John Medina of Lubbock, Texas; Manuel Eastman of Albuquerque versus Rico Urquizo of Roswell; Garrett Lopez of Dallas versus Rolyn Nez of Bloomfield; and Derek Perez of Belen versus Marquis Smith of Albuquerque.

On Friday, a total of approximately 20 amateur boxing matches will be held in the Santa Fe Furniture Events Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the boxing on Friday and Saturday night can be purchased at the door each evening or online at www.raceruidoso.com.