Boxing to get its own day Feb. 23 in Santa Fe

It is part of an effort to spotlight the amateurs

In boxing, roundhouse punches are frowned upon. “Straighten ’em out,” a trainer might say to a fighter.

Yet, later this month, boxing is going straight to the Roundhouse.

Joe Chavez, chairman of the New Mexico Athletic Commission, said in a recent phone interview that Feb. 23 will be “Boxing Day” at the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe.

New Mexico State Representative Art Da La Cruz, a former member of the Athletic Commission, and Chavez have arranged for:

■ Many of New Mexico’s amateur boxers to sit in the gallery during a session of the New Mexico State Legislature;

■ Mexico’s Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council, to attend as a special guest;

■ A proclamation honoring the New Mexico organization of USA Boxing, the amateur sports national governing body. Steve Garcia is president of the New Mexico organization;

■ The presentation to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of a WBC world championship belt;

■ A proclamation honoring the memory of the late Johnny Tapia, an Albuquerque native who won two Golden Gloves national amateur titles and five pro world championships; and,

■ Weigh-ins for the following night’s pro card at Tingley Coliseum to take place at the Capitol.

This effort is more about the amateur sport, Chavez said in a phone interview, than the pros.

“I was talking to (Garcia), and he told me there were like, 1,000 amateurs registered here in New Mexico,” Chavez said. “… I’m trying to get some money from the Legislature if I can, because that’s where our kids are coming from.

“They’re from all over (the state); they have little clubs everywhere. Most of them work out of their garages, and they don’t have any equipment.”

To paraphrase an old NCAA TV commercial, most of those youths registered with USA Boxing will turn pro in something other than boxing. Helping

to keep kids in school, Chavez said, is a priority.

Chavez has been involved in New Mexico boxing for decades as a promoter and as a commissioner. During that time, he made the acquaintance of the late Jose Sulaiman, the WBC President from 1975-2014. The WBC is one of professional boxing’s four widely recognized sanctioning bodies.

Mauricio Sulaiman succeeded his father as WBC President after the elder Sulaiman’s death.

“I’ve met with (Mauricio) a couple or three times, and he told me he wanted to come to New Mexico, he’s never been here, and check it out,” Chavez said.

The plan, Chavez said, is for Sulaiman to attend the Feb. 24 professional card — promoted by Teresa Tapia, Johnny Tapia’s widow — at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

“He wants to come down and he wants to help us get some big fights over here,” Chavez said.

SUPER BOWL: The Journal on Saturday conducted an informal poll of Super Bowl predictions from New Mexico’s combat-sports community. Forthwith:

■ Henry Anaya Jr., trainer and former boxer: Eagles 35, Chiefs 14. He and his entire family are devoted Eagles fans.

■ Isidro Castillo, Hobbs, boxing promoter and Cowboys fan: Eagles 34, Chiefs 21.

■ Steve Garcia, Albuquerque, boxing coach, amateur boxing administrator and Cowboys fan: Eagles by 3.

■ Samantha Ginithan, Las,Cruces, boxer: Eagles by 10.

■ Matt Griego-Ortega, Albuquerque, boxer and Cowboys fan: Chiefs by 7.

■ Jonathan Judy, Albuquerque, MMA coach and matchmaker: Eagles by 10 or more.

■ Sharahya Moreu, Albuquerque, boxer and Giants fan: Chiefs, 30-27.

■ Flory Olguin, Albuquerque, boxing trainer: Eagles by 10.

■ Abraham Perez, Albuquerque, boxer and not a football fan: Eagles by a field goal or a touchdown (shrug emoji).

■ Andy Rivera, Albuquerque, boxing writer and Broncos fan: Eagles by 7.

■ Anthony Rosales, Albuquerque, martial-arts/boxing coach and Seahawks fan: Chiefs by 14.

■ Josh Torres, Albuquerque, boxer: Chiefs by 3.