Las Cruces boxing sensation Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz is set to make her highly anticipated Golden Gloves debut this Friday, bringing her impressive resume as a 16-time USA Boxing national champion to the national stage. The 106-pound semifinal bout will see her face Haylee Lemaster of Ashland, Kentucky, at the Golden Gloves National Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Friday's action kicks off at 4 p.m. MT and fans can catch every punch live via stream at goldenglovesusa.org. Olayo-Muñoz enters the tournament with a strategic advantage, having drawn a bye straight into the semifinals—a welcome break in a weight class that featured only five entries. Lemaster also received a bye, setting up a clash between two fighters eager to prove themselves on the big stage.
Olayo-Muñoz punched her ticket to nationals last month with a decisive victory over Malia Paculan at the Colorado-New Mexico nationals, showcasing the skill and determination that has made her a dominant force in amateur boxing. This debut marks a new chapter for the young champion, who has already achieved remarkable success in the ring.
While Olayo-Muñoz carries New Mexico's hopes, the state's other three competitors at nationals faced tougher luck. Ibrahim "Ib" Maiga (165 pounds), Azariah Perez (121), and Andres Garcia Marquez (198) all dropped their opening bouts, highlighting the fierce competition at this elite level.
In other combat sports news, Raton's Robert Trujillo weighed in at 155 pounds Thursday for Friday's defense of his Power Slap lightweight title against challenger Hayden Johnson at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trujillo boasts a 5-1 record in Power Slap competition, while Johnson—with roots in both California and North Carolina—earned his title shot in dramatic fashion, delivering a first-round knockout of Glen Hunter on March 6 in his Power Slap debut.
For those unfamiliar with Power Slap, the concept is straightforward yet brutal: two competitors take turns delivering open-handed slaps with maximum force. The contest goes to the judges after three rounds unless one fighter is unable to continue. Trujillo, who also holds a 5-1 record as an MMA fighter, has earned a reputation not just for his striking power but for his remarkable ability to absorb punishment—often with a smile. The card streams on Power Slap's YouTube channel starting at 7 p.m.
Whether you're a boxing purist or a fan of the raw intensity of slap fighting, this weekend promises high-stakes action from two of New Mexico's most exciting combat athletes.