Salinas Faces Undefeated De Leon on TV Friday

By Austin Killeen  (Click on thumbnail for larger image) Las Cruces, New Mexico has always had it’s share of exciting boxers and heated rivalries with their neighbors to the north in Albuquerque. In the early…


The Velvet Tones of Ring Announcer Mike Adams

 By Austin Killeen  January 13, 2017 (Click on thumbnail for larger image) Even an individual not familiar with boxing, probably would recognize Michael Buffer. To a lesser extent this would also apply to Jimmy Lennon,…


New Mexico State End of the Year Ratings for 2016

By Austin Killeen – December 31, 2016 In the “Land of Enchantment” boxers are rated in the original eight weight divisions. If I used the seventeen divisions that exist today it would look ridiculous. You…


New Mexico State End of the Year Review

By Austin Killeen December 30, 2016 (Click on thumbnail for larger image) In 2016 five boxers separated themselves from the rest of the herd by making a statement outside the friendly confines of New Mexico….


How the Grinch Stole Maldonado’s Christmas

By Austin Killeen      December 24, 2016   (Click on thumbnail for larger image) In the famous children’s story by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, a grouchy, solitary creature attempts to end Christmas by stealing…


Clarkson makes it Nine Straight at the Bomb Factory

By Austin Killeen     Ringside (Click on thumbnail for larger image) In the early 1900s, the building was used to manufacture Ford automobiles. During WWII, the building was used to manufacture bombs and ammunitions for armed…





Undefeated Brian Mendoza Keeping His Eye on the Goal

By Austin Killeen      November 12, 2016 (Click on thumbnail for larger image.) When you consider the population of New Mexico versus the other forty nine states, its impact on boxing history is rather amazing. In…


Jennifer Han Impressive Title Defense against Liliana Martinez

By Austin Killeen     Ringside                              Photos by Brandon Pina (Click on thumbnail for larger image.) On Saturday night, the Don Haskins Center located at the University of Texas in El Paso, played host to a four…


Ugas, Karl, Holmes and Martinez Win at Televised Buffalo Thunder Card

By Austin Killeen     Ringside                                                 Photos by Augustine Banegas (Click on thumbnail to enlarge image) Premier Boxing Champions in conjunction with Pat Holmes boxing produced an eight bout card at the Buffalo Thunder Casino in Santa…


Jose Marrufo Upsets Josh Torres by Majority Decision

By Austin Killeen     Ringside                                                        Photos by Carlos Villa (Click on thumbnail for larger image.) This was another good promotion by Eric Martinez with some excellent matchups, thanks in part to Isidro Castillo. There…



Edgar Zubia Decisions Oscar Espinoza in Thriller

By Austin Killeen      Ringside               September 10, 2016 (Click on thumbnail for larger image.) Entering the ring the Zubia/Espinoza main event had more questions than answers. Zubia hadn’t fought in two years, had survived a…


Salinas Upsets Zenunaj by Unanimous Decision at Foxwoods Casino

By Austin Killeen      September 1, 2016                                                                        Photos by Emily Harney In my last column I stated Austin Trout, Fidel Maldonado Jr. and Josh Torres stand head and shoulders above the rest of the boxers in…




2016 New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame Awards Dinner

By Colleen Aycock       Photos by Dave Wallace (Click on thumbnail for larger image.) The 2016 New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame awards dinner was held August 6 at the VFW Post 401, 2011 Girard in…