ROUNDS AT THE DOWNS

Professional Boxing Card Announced for Matches This Weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. — Abel Navarrete, a 29-year-old undefeated boxer (7-0) from Amarillo, Texas, is scheduled to fight in the main event this Saturday, June 18, 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 6PM.

The event is being called “Rounds at the Downs,” and it will take place following live horse racing on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18. Live racing will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The first post time for racing each day is 1PM.

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

Six professional boxing matches are on the card for Saturday night, beginning at approximately 6PM. 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,” said Isidro Castillo, the promoter of the boxing card. “This will be a New Mexico Athletic Commission-sanctioned event. 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, Texas, versus Rolyn Nez of Bloomfield; and Derek Perez of Belen versus Marquis Smith of Albuquerque.

On Friday, approximately ten amateur boxing matches will be held in the Santa Fe Furniture Events Center. Doors open at 6PM.

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