COMBAT SPORTS
More promoters join the Albuquerque boxing scene
Moreu family, former NMAC official Espinoza entering the business
Yoruba Moreu Sr., left, works with his his son Yoruba Jr. during a training session in May 2024.
Two more Albuquerque-based boxing promotional companies are poised to climb into the ring.
Prime Time Promotions, an enterprise that includes longtime former New Mexico Athletic Commission Executive Secretary Richard Espinoza, has an event 鈥� pending NMAC approval 鈥� targeted for Oct. 3.
Moreu Boxing Promotions, with Albuquerque Latin music DJ and concert promoter Keith 鈥淧ancho鈥� Qui帽ones as the promoter of record but formed with the intention to make boxer Yoruba Moreu II his own boss, made itself known Sunday on Instagram.
In separate phone interviews, Qui帽ones and Yoruba Moreu Sr., his son鈥檚 trainer, said their new company is all about creating more opportunities for fighters.
Espinoza, speaking at the July NMAC meeting at the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department offices, where his new company鈥檚 promotional license was approved, said essentially the same.
Moreu Boxing does not have an event scheduled. When that happens, Moreu Sr. said, it鈥檚 not a given that his son will be on the card.
鈥淟et鈥檚 say my son is not able to fight (on an MBP card), because (after) one or two fights he鈥檚 gonna be signed (by another promoter),鈥� the elder Moreu said. 鈥淪o he might just have to be a promoter.鈥�
It鈥檚 Qui帽ones, though, who鈥檚 the licensed promoter 鈥� having been approved as such by the athletic commission at its July meeting.
Qui帽ones, a longtime Moreu family friend, said he鈥檚 watched the younger Moreu struggle to get professional fights after a successful amateur career; he鈥檚 3-0 with three knockouts but has not fought since Jan. 9 on a Tapia Promotions card.
Overtures made to other New Mexico promoters have been unsuccessful.
鈥淵ou see opportunities not happen the way they鈥檙e supposed to,鈥� Qui帽ones said, 鈥渙r the way they were promised or the way people thought (they would).
鈥溾�� I presented it to (the Moreus) and said, 鈥榃hy don鈥檛 we do something together and make sure that we can provide that platform?鈥�
Espinoza, who for decades officiated for the athletic commission at combat-sports events, left the NMAC some 17 months ago after being promoted within the Regulation & Licensing Department. Still an RLD employee, he said at the July NMAC meeting that he has complied with the department鈥檚 requirements that will allow him to work within a promotional company.
THE DOCKET: Two pro boxing cards, in addition to Prime Time Boxing鈥檚 proposed Oct. 3 event, have been submitted for athletic commission approval at Wednesday鈥檚 meeting.
Holmes Boxing (Pat Holmes) is planning to stage a card on Oct. 24 at Ohkay Hotel Casino, north of Espa帽ola. It would be Holmes鈥� third card at the same venue this year.
Legacy Promotions is planning a Nov. 14 card at the Albuquerque Convention Center鈥檚 Kiva Auditorium. Speculation has Albuquerque鈥檚 Abraham Perez (15-0, seven KOs) defending the WBA interim flyweight title he won in June via a victory by split decision over Jonathan Gonzalez in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
TOUGH LOSS FOR GJELAJ: Saturday in Houston, Albuquerque Muay Thai fighter Nick Gjelaj lost his bid for the WBC National flyweight title when the physician in charge ruled him unable to continue due to a facial cut.
Hawaii鈥檚 Noa Moniz took home the title belt.
Scant video of the fight, available on Moniz鈥檚 Instagram page, reflected what appeared to be a competitive contest. But after the fourth round, the cut, above and adjacent to Gjelaj鈥檚 left eye, was ruled too severe for the fight to safely continue.
Gjelaj is seen reacting in dismay as the video ends.
Gjelaj is now 8-3, seven of the victories coming during a 10-month stay in Thailand. Moniz鈥檚 record was unavailable.
