Advances to regional Golden Gloves tournament  

Diego Perez recently won the 2023 New Mexico Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion title. Perez is a 28-year-old Southern Ute tribal member, whose father is Brandon Baker, and whose mother is Yolando Perez. He’s married to Gabriela Perez, together they have three children. 

“Perez competed this past weekend, March 24-26. He fought twice, winning against both opponents, Carl Cuthair of Shiprock, N.M. and Elijah Yazza of Las Cruces, N.M., becoming the 2023 New Mexico Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion,” Boxing coach Roland Nez said. Nez also serves as a TERO Compliance Officer for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.  

“He will advance to the 2023 Regional Golden Gloves tournament in Albuquerque, N.M. March 30 – April 1, with the potential to advance to the 2023 National Golden Gloves Tournament in Philadelphia, Pa., May 8-13,” Nez said ahead of the scheduled bout. 

“I’m a boxing coach out of Bloomfield, N.M., I’ve been training Diego Perez, an enrolled Southern Ute Tribal Member.” Nez said. “Being a part of our team, Diego was allowed to compete in the 2023 New Mexico Golden Gloves instead of Colorado.”  

“I’ve been training him off and on for three plus years,” Nez said. “Although having the responsibility of a family, with discipline and hard work he has accomplished great success in amateur boxing and at the late age of 28 years old with less experience than most boxers at the 2023 State and Regional Golden Gloves. He’s been training with us in Bloomfield, N.M. most of the time … and when available, during my lunch, I will train him at the SunUte Fitness Center.” 

Golden Gloves is an open tournament for experienced boxers, ages 18 to 40-years-old in their respective weight division. 

“Diego is not a natural super heavyweight at 203+lbs, but in the past fought at middleweight, but that didn’t stop him from joining the tournament with the bigger and harder hitting super heavyweights, due to his weight,” Nez said. “Since Perez lives near the New Mexican border and trained with our team in Bloomfield, the New Mexico Amateur Local Boxing Commission agreed Diego can compete in the New Mexico State Golden Gloves tournament with the approval of the Colorado Amateur Local Boxing Commission, representing New Mexico at the Regional Tournament, which will determine who will represent our region at the 2023 National Golden Gloves Tournament in Philadelphia, Pa.” 

THE AFTERMATH: Perez (5’8”) went up against his opponent Alonzo Neal (6’6”) in a tough fight at the 2023 Open Golden Gloves Regional Tournament in Albuquerque, N.M., Thursday, March 30. Alonzo Neal of Colorado was awarded the winning decision, Thursday, March 30, and ultimately will represent the region at the 2023 Golden Gloves National Tournament. 

“Mr. Perez did fall short of representing our region at the national level, but we are proud of him after his state accomplishment and competitive fight at regionals. He will soon transition in becoming a professional boxer,” Nez said. “Diego Perez is a true ‘Southern Ute Tribal Warrior.’”