If you're a New Mexico combat-sports fan and have already circled June 14 on your calendar, go ahead — circle it again. The date just got even bigger.
It was announced Friday that Albuquerque's Jason Sanchez will join fellow New Mexican Abraham Perez on a Salita Promotions card next month in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sanchez (18-6, 10 KOs) is set to challenge hard-punching Felix Parrilla (13-0, 11 KOs) of New Haven, Connecticut, for the latter's WBO Latino featherweight (126-pound) title. This is a classic matchup of veteran experience versus rising power: Sanchez will be the fifth undefeated fighter he's faced since 2018, and he's gone 2-2 in those bouts — with his only losses coming against a world champion (Oscar Valdez) and a future world champion (Bruce Carrington).
As reported earlier, Perez (14-0, seven KOs) will challenge Puerto Rico's Jonathan Gonzalez (29-4-1, 14 KOs) for Gonzalez's WBA interim flyweight (112-pound) title on the same card. It's a stacked night for New Mexico boxing, with both fighters looking to make a statement on the national stage.
But that's not all. Two fighters from Albuquerque's Jackson-Wink MMA — featherweight Steve Garcia and heavyweight Josh Hokit — are also scheduled to compete on the UFC's Freedom 250 card on June 14, taking place on the White House South Lawn. That's right: the same day, two major combat sports events featuring New Mexico talent. The boxing card streams on DAZN, while UFC Freedom 250 streams on Paramount+.
Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Bosque Farms' Katherine Lindenmuth (8-5, three KOs) weighed in Friday at 110.7 pounds for her 10-round bout against Australia's Linn Sandstrom (12-4-3, two KOs). Sandstrom, taller and leaner, came in at 111.6 pounds. The vacant WBA interim flyweight title is on the line, and the card streams on DAZN starting at 11:05 a.m. MT.
And in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Las Cruces amateur boxer Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz made quick work of Kentucky's Haylee Lemaster, winning by first-round TKO in a 106-pound semifinal at the Golden Gloves National Championships. She's now set to face California's Emely Sandoval in Saturday's championship bout, which streams at 4 p.m. on Goldenglovesusa.org ($15).
With so much action packed into one day, June 14 is shaping up to be a must-watch for any combat sports fan — and a proud moment for New Mexico's fighting spirit.