It just May be a memorable month NM boxers

Streaming: DAZN (subscription required; card scheduled to start at 3 p.m. MT)

The Skinny: These guys know each other well, having sparred several times in Las Vegas. Each fighter is undefeated (Leo 3-0, Aleem 4-0) against three common opponents. But Leo rates a slight edge, having stopped Mike Plania via third-round KO in January 2024. Plania went the distance vs. Aleem in losing by unanimous decision in September 2022.

As of Wednesday, Leo was a solid (minus-250) favorite to retain his title.

He said it: “We both have skills and we both have heart. But he wants to defend the title, but his wants are gonna get (defeated) by my needs.

“I need to win this. All the pain, the blood, the sweat and tears, but really, I want to emphasize the pain that I (expletive) went through for all those years just to get this opportunity. So the pain is what’s going to ultimately win me this fight.” — Aleem, on Instagram

May 16

Who: Katherine Lindenmuth (8-5, three KOs), Bosque Farms, vs. Linn Sandstrom (12-4-3, two KOs), Sidney, Australia, 10 rounds for the vacant interim WBA flyweight (112-pound) title.

Where: Brondby Hallen, Brondby (suburban Copenhagen), Denmark

Streaming: DAZN (start time TBA)

The Skinny: This fight, originally to be contested for Sandstrom’s WBA Gold flyweight title, was elevated to an interim WBA world title bout.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the winner will get a shot at the actual world title, held by Gabriela Fundora. Basically, “interim” means whatever any particular boxing sanctioning body wants it to mean.

She said it: “I’m fighting a really tough girl … obviously, this is a cracker of a fight. I’m hoping to do my best performance yet.” — Sandstrom, to Combat Down Under

May 30

Who: Holly Holm (34-3-3, nine KOs), Albuquerque, vs. Stephanie Han (12-0, three KOs), El Paso, 10 rounds for Han’s WBA lightweight (135-pound) title.

Where: El Paso County Coliseum

TV: ESPN

Tickets: $45-$167, ticketmaster.com (card scheduled to start at 3 p.m.)

The Skinny: This is a rematch of a title fight staged on Jan. 3 in Puerto Rico, won by Han via unanimous technical decision after an unintentional clash of heads opened a cut on Han’s forehead, near the hairline, and prompted a premature end to a scheduled 10-round bout.

Holm was a solid betting favorite the first time around; not this time. As of Wednesday, Han was listed as a near-overwhelming -370 favorite. Holm was plus-260.

He said it: “I just feel (Han) has Holly’s number. … I think she has style that gives Holly a hard time. I just feel she has what it takes to beat Holly.” — Las Cruces’ Louie Burke, Han’s trainer

Also …

Who: Josh Torres (29-7-2, 16 KOs), Albuquerque, vs. Alejandro Medina de la Rosa (4-8, four KOs), Aguascalientes, Mexico, 8 rounds, welterweights (147 pounds).

Where: Leo’s night club, 1119 Candelaria NW

Tickets: $30-$130, tapiapromotions.com

The skinny: Longtime Albuquerque promoter Teresa Tapia has established a “Tapia Fite Lounge” at Leo’s, a venerable North Valley establisment. Torres, who has headlined several Tapia cards, returns. The card, as listed on boxrec.com, features the return of Brandi Montoya (6-2), an Anthony Rosales protege who’s fought just once in the past 14 years, as well as Tapia’s sons with her late husband, five-time world champion Johnny Tapia — Nicco and Johnny Jr., both 1-0 as pros.