Murphy’s memory to be celebrated at amateur boxing card in Rio Rancho

New Mexico boxing legend Joe Louis Murphy died a year ago on Nov. 22.

For Zimbalist “Zim” Satcher, this was an anniversary he could not and would not let pass unobserved.

Accordingly, the inaugural Joe Louis Murphy Memorial Invitational boxing card is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Able Strength and Fitness, on the northwest corner of Rockaway Blvd. at NM 528. ( Tickets: $20-$25. Call 505-795-9670 for more info.)

It’s a team effort, said Satcher, who for years trained with and studied under Murphy at South San Jose Community Center.

Steve Padilla, a coach and an experienced organizer of amateur boxing cards, is putting together this one in concert with Satcher.

Zimbalist Satcher Jr., a lanky 6-footer who could have followed his father into basketball — the elder Satcher played for Jim Hulsman at Albuquerque High — decided instead to focus on boxing and is scheduled for his fourth amateur bout on Saturday.

Anais Maya, a manager at Scooter’s Coffee in Bernalillo, has become friends with Satcher Sr., a regular customer. She plans to attend on Saturday in support.

“My biggest thing,” Satcher said, “is just how thankful I am for all these people crossing my path, more so than (Saturday’s card) actually happening.”

Padilla, a native of Santa Fe, credits amateur boxing for helping him transcend a youthful past that included probation and an ankle monitor.

“Boxing helped me find discipline, respect for my elders, stuff like that,” he said. “It’s something that I like to pass on.”

Padilla will bring several of his boxers from his own club, Code of a Champion, to Saturday’s card.

Satcher Jr., 17, who competes at 115 pounds, lost his first three bouts after getting a late start in the sport.

“Bobby (Foster, the late world champion from Albuquerque) was 0-7 (as amateur) when he started,” he said. “So it’s not discouraging me.”

Maya moved to New Mexico from Oregon for family reasons a year-and-a-half ago.

The friendship she’s formed with Satcher has been of mutual benefit

It’s been a roller-coaster, kind of, since I moved here,” she said, “and I found Zim when I was at my lowest. So he’s helped me so much.”

Murphy, an Albuquerque native, was inducted into the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame a few days before his death at 86.

Everything he does in boxing, Satcher said, flows from his relationship with Murphy, who contributed to New Mexico boxing for seven decades as a fighter, referee, judge, administrator, promoter and trainer.