Las Cruces high school senior Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz has reached the top of the USA Boxing rankings following a series of national and international victories that have established her as the premiere talent in her division. Nicknamed “Jos the Boss,” Olayo-Muñoz recently secured gold during her international debut at the Brandenburg Cup Youth Under 19th Tournament in Frankfurt, Germany. Competing in the 106-pound weight class, she defeated Italy’s Amelia Sula by unanimous decision to mark a successful transition from the domestic circuit to the global stage.
The Las Cruces High School student, who also runs track for the Bulldawgs, has become a formidable force in the youth female 106-pound division. Her ascent is a focal point for scouts monitoring the top leaders in women’s boxing rankings as she prepares for higher levels of competition. Trained by her stepfather, Danny Melendrez, at the Doña Ana Village Boxing Club, she has secured 16 USA Boxing amateur titles as of February 6, 2025.
Her competitive journey began in 2015, but she has been in the gym since the age of five. Olayo-Muñoz initially took up the sport because she was the smallest in her class and wanted to defend herself. Today, she is ranked number one in the nation by USA Boxing. This ranking follows a heavy schedule of events, including her representation of Team USA in the 48 kg weight class at the World Boxing U19 Championships in Pueblo, Colorado, which concluded in November 2024.
National titles and the path to 16 amateur championships
The volume of hardware Olayo-Muñoz has collected reflects a decade of consistent performance in the ring. She earned her 15th USA Boxing title by October 14, 2024, and reached a total of 16 titles by February 2025. Her latest major win came at the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships, reinforcing her position at the pinnacle of the youth division. This level of activity mirrors the dedication seen at other amateur levels, such as the Vernon Clark Invitational boxing match, where emerging talents build the foundations for national debuts.
Balancing her role as a student-at-large with that of an elite athlete has required significant trade-offs. Olayo-Muñoz missed her junior prom while training with Team USA, a choice she attributes to her drive for greatness. “If you want to be great, there’s a lot that comes with it,” she said. “Those are the sacrifices you have to make.” Despite the pressure, she maintains a lifestyle outside of the ring, describing herself as a “girly girl” who enjoys spending time at the mall and getting her nails done after training sessions.
BoxRec (Box-am) currently lists her record at 12 wins and 3 losses across 15 bouts. She views these infrequent setbacks as vital components of her development. “Overcoming a loss is my biggest hurdle,” Olayo-Muñoz admitted, noting that she treats every defeat as a lesson to identify and fix technical mistakes. Her focus remains on continuous improvement as she eyes future Olympic or professional cycles.
Stepfather Danny Melendrez and the Las Cruces community
The foundation of Olayo-Muñoz’s career is the Doña Ana Village Boxing Club, where Danny Melendrez has coached her since she was five. Melendrez has been a boxing coach since 2002 and managed her transition from her first amateur bout in 2016 to the international gold she secured in Germany. Her mother, initially skeptical of her daughter boxing, has since become her primary supporter alongside Melendrez.
Local recognition for her achievements has been substantial. Doña Ana County proclaimed “Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz Day” on October 11 when she was just 10 years old. This early honors system highlighted her potential long before she became the number-one ranked amateur in her weight class. While she is a fierce competitor in the ring, she carries a personal tribute into every fight, wearing custom trunks with a breast cancer ribbon and pink socks to honor her grandmother, a breast cancer survivor.
As the sport looks toward the next generation of the most dangerous boxers dominating the ring, Olayo-Muñoz represents the bridge between local amateur dominance and international success. For now, the senior at Las Cruces High School is focused on the immediate task of maintaining her top ranking while finishing her education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz’s amateur boxing record?
According to BoxRec (Box-am), Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz has a record of 12 wins and 3 losses in 15 sanctioned bouts. As of February 6, 2025, she has earned 16 USA Boxing amateur titles and is currently the top-ranked fighter in the nation in her division.
In which weight classes does Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz compete?
Olayo-Muñoz primarily competes in the 106-pound (48 kg) weight class. She represented Team USA at this weight during her gold-medal-winning debut at the Brandenburg Cup in Germany and at the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships in Colorado.
Where does Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz train and who is her coach?
She trains at the Doña Ana Village Boxing Club in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She is coached by her stepfather, Danny Melendrez, who has been a boxing coach since 2002 and has guided her development since she began the sport at the age of five.
