New Mexico Boxing Veteran Chavez Remembered for NMAC Leadership

The late Joe Chavez served on the New Mexico Athletic Commission for over a decade, earning praise for his mentorship and passion for combat sports.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:06am

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The New Mexico Athletic Commission paid tribute to the late Joe Chavez, who served on the commission for 13 years, including as chairman from 2019-2024. Chavez, who passed away from cancer on March 1 at age 81, was remembered for his wealth of experience and generosity in mentoring younger commission members. Current NMAC chairman Ed Manzanares and former boxer Stephanie Jaramillo highlighted Chavez's impact on the commission and the state's combat sports community.

Why it matters

Chavez's long tenure on the NMAC and his work as a boxing promoter showcased his deep commitment to the sport in New Mexico. His passing marks the end of an era for the commission, which will need to find new ways to maintain the institutional knowledge and passion for combat sports that Chavez brought to his role.

The details

Between his two stints on the NMAC, Chavez also worked as a boxing promoter, staging nine fight cards that featured many of New Mexico's top boxers. Albuquerque welterweight Josh Torres fought on five of Chavez's cards from 2012-2015. Chavez was remembered for his financial and emotional support of boxers like Stephanie Jaramillo during her amateur and professional career.

  • Chavez served on the NMAC for 13 years, including as chairman from 2019-2024.
  • Chavez passed away from cancer on March 1, 2026 at the age of 81.

The players

Joe Chavez

A longtime member of the New Mexico Athletic Commission who served as its chairman from 2019-2024. Chavez was remembered for his wealth of experience in combat sports and his mentorship of younger commission members.

Ed Manzanares

The current chairman of the New Mexico Athletic Commission, who praised Chavez's guidance and support during Manzanares' early years on the commission.

Stephanie Jaramillo

A former amateur and professional boxer who served on the New Mexico Athletic Commission. Jaramillo credited Chavez with providing her financial and emotional support during her boxing career.

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What they’re saying

“I've been on the commission now for four years and I just really want to thank Joe for taking on a young rookie. … His experience was invaluable to me and his mentorship beyond this commission.”

— Ed Manzanares, NMAC Chairman (Yahoo Sports)

“I've known Joe almost my whole life. He was raised with my grandfather and when I was in the amateurs he financially helped me, emotionally helped me. He was a really good guy.”

— Stephanie Jaramillo, NMAC Commissioner (Yahoo Sports)

The takeaway

Chavez's long tenure on the NMAC and his work as a boxing promoter showcased his deep commitment to the sport in New Mexico. His passing marks the end of an era for the commission, which will need to find new ways to maintain the institutional knowledge and passion for combat sports that Chavez brought to his role.