Friday's boxing event at the Embassy Suites will feature several bouts, including the welterweight showdown between Josh Torres and Jose Valenzuela. The main card begins at 7 p.m., with additional details available by calling 505-877-5725. Meanwhile, in a separate but oddly analogous move, the UNM men's basketball team added Mississippi Valley State to its 2026-27 non-conference schedule. This decision mirrors the boxing career of Valenzuela, who has a 4-28-4 record and has stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Alejandro Frias Rodriguez, who withdrew due to a shoulder injury, according to event promoter Aaron Perez.
Josh Torres, who enters the fight with a record of 30-7-2 and 17 knockouts, acknowledged the disappointment of the opponent switch but stressed that his mindset and goals remain unchanged. "It's not who you beat but how you beat them." Valenzuela, a native of Puebla, Mexico, is known for his resilience. Among his 28 losses, only one has come by knockout or TKO. The lone stoppage loss occurred in March 2025 in Indio, California, when he fell to 2024 Olympian Ruslan Abdullaev of Uzbekistan.
Valenzuela's Record and Resilience
Valenzuela's record is as surprising as it is impressive. The Mexican fighter has taken on a consistently tough schedule. As Torres pointed out, Valenzuela has faced mostly undefeated and highly ranked prospects. Out of his 28 losses, Torres noted that only two of his previous opponents had losing records. This speaks to Valenzuela's durability and the strength of his competition. Torres will look to become the second fighter to stop Valenzuela before the bell rings for the final round. The matchup, while not for a major title, is a test of Torres' ability to adapt quickly and perform under pressure.
Weight and the Title
The welterweight title was initially on the line for Torres, but after Valenzuela's substitution, the fight's title status was called into question. Jeremy Lantz, the UBO supervisor present at the weigh-in, stated that the organization could not justify awarding a title under the circumstances. Torres weighed in at 146.6 pounds, while Valenzuela came in at 146.8 pounds, making the fight official. The bout is set for eight rounds, and though the title is not on the line, it remains a significant opportunity for Torres to make a statement and continue his upward trajectory in the sport.
In another corner of the event, Albuquerque's Cristian Cabral (11-2-2, five KOs) faces a different challenge. Cabral's bid for the UBO Intercontinental middleweight title was once in jeopardy when his opponent, Martin Sollano, initially weighed in 2.4 pounds over the 160-pound limit. For a title bout, fighters must hit the contracted weight, which creates an added layer of pressure. Sollano, a native of Mexico who lives in Amarillo, Texas, managed to drop nearly four pounds in the two-hour window following the initial weigh-in, eventually weighing in at 158.8 pounds. Cabral came in at 158.6 pounds, allowing the title bout to proceed as planned.
The main event is not the only highlight. The undercard features a variety of fighters from both local and national circuits. San Felipe Pueblo's Clinton Chavez (9-2, six KOs) will face Wesley Vanderlinden (4-3, four KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout. Both fighters weighed in at 159.8 pounds. Meanwhile, German Ponce (1-0), from Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, will step into his first professional bout against David Bedai Quiros, a Tijuana, Baja California, native, in a four-round lightweight contest. Ponce weighed in at 134.8 pounds, while Quiros came in at 132.6 pounds.
Albuquerque's Shaun Henson (2-6, two KOs) will face Miguel Lozano Castillo (3-4, two KOs) in a four-round middleweight bout. Henson weighed in at 159.6 pounds. Lozano, from Juarez, Chihuahua, was not present at Thursday's weigh-in but is expected to appear for Friday's event. This adds a layer of unpredictability to the matchup. The event also includes a special appearance by Abraham "Hammer" Perez, the WBA interim world flyweight champion. Perez will be conducting an autograph session between 6 and 7 p.m., prior to the main card.
With multiple high-stakes bouts, last-minute changes, and a strong supporting cast, Friday's event promises to be an action-packed night of boxing. Whether it's Torres' quest for a memorable victory, Cabral's title defense, or the undercard fights that test the limits of both skill and resolve, fans will have plenty to watch and discuss.
For more information and to purchase tickets, contact 505-877-5725. The fights begin at 7 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, offering a full card of professional boxing that highlights the sport's unpredictability and excitement.