Las Cruces amateur boxer Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz won the 106-pound championship at the National Golden Gloves in Tulsa, Oklahoma, giving her 17 national championships in her career.
The win on Saturday night, May 16, was her first National Golden Gloves title. Emely Olayo-Muñoz defeated Emely Sandoval of California in the championship match.
Olayo-Muñoz, who is 18, won an unanimous decision vs. Sanchez, winning the first round 5-0, the second round 4-1 and the third round 5-0. There were five judges deciding each round. Sanchez was the defending National Gloves champion at 106 pounds.
In Friday’s semifinals, Olayo-Muñoz defeated Haylee Lemaster of Kentucky by stoppage in the first round to reach Saturday’s title match.
Olayo-Muñoz qualified for nationals last month with a victory against Malia Paculan at the Colorado-New Mexico regional tournament.
“My defense and power we’re the difference in the tournament,” Olayo-Muñoz said. “It feels special to win this tournament. I’ll get home, meet with my team and talk about what is next. It could be time to turn the page and go pro.”
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Las Cruces boxer Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz wins National Golden Gloves title
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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