World Champion Boxer Holly Holm is stepping down from the sweet science to pursue a full time MMA career. Like all competitive athletes, Holm did leave room to return to boxing should she change her mind. Holm said she is out of the boxing game 99.9%. Going back and forth between the two sports was a mental challenge Holm welcomed in the beginning but, become more of a burden later. Holm, who has three victories against no losses as an MMA fighter said as she started to win she became more more excited about MMA. Boxing didn’t have the same excitement. Holm described the change as climbing a new mountain. The ranks of women in MMA is starting to pick up with the rise of Ronda Rousey of UFC fame. The 31 year old Holm sees limitless possibilities in the future. Mary McGee will be the last fighter to face Holm in a boxing ring May 11th in Albuquerque. Holm was hoping for a shot at Cecilia Braekhus, another world champion who goes by the nickname, “the first lady.” At a press conference announcing her plans to leave boxing, Holm expressed disappointment that a date with Braekhus never happened. The two were negotiating to fight in Las Vegas, Nevada in July before talks broke down. Holm will shut down her boxing career after 11 years and a long list of victories over some of the biggest names in the women’s fight game.

UNM guard Tony Snell has made it official. Snell will forego his senior season and enter the NBA Draft. Snell is no longer enrolled in school as he will spend the weeks leading up to the draft in June preparing. Snell has been told he is a mid to late second round pick. There is a chance he might not be selected at all. Snell is willing to take the risk.

Get ready for peanuts, hotdogs and maybe an adult malted beverage as the Albuquerque Isotopes take the field tonight.

It’s Day 1 of the Pacific Coast League season, and the ‘Topes are hosting the Iowa Cubs in a four-game home stand before the Omaha Storm Chasers come to town.

Last season the ‘Topes compiled an 80-64 record tying the franchise best and winning the PCL American Southern Division.

Game time is 6:35 p.m.; gates open at 5:30.

And if you are one of the first 3,000 fans at the park a sponsor will hooked you up with an Isotopes blanket.

Online: Albuquerque Isotopes website

When Craig Neal was introduced as the new men’s basketball coach at the University of New Mexico, thunderous applause followed. It was quite the opposite for his former boss, Steve Alford, at UCLA. Alford’s press conference was a day before Neal’s. The applause was minimal and it didn’t take the Los Angeles media a long time to put Alford under the hot lamp of srutiny. Two questions into the press conference Alford was asked about his handling of a sexual assault case involving one of his players while he was at Iowa. Let’s just say his answer was less than adequate for the media because the next day the L.A. Times tore into Alford, calling him a robot who did not answer any questions. Meanwhile in Albuquerque, the next day Neal was showered with love from a Lobo Nation that has quickly turned into Noodles Nation. In fact, a groundswell of support for Neal had the locals wearing t shirts to honor him. Someone even set up a Facebook page in support of Neal. Surely none of this would shock Alford. He felt the love when he ran the program. He might even ask himself later, how much did he give up to pursue the pride of life? He had an agreement that he may see in hindsight he should have honored. In this life contentment is a beautiful thing especially if your grass is already green.

Craig Neal can now take the interim tag off of his name. Neal has been hired as new men’s basketball coach at the University of New Mexico. He replaces Steve Alford who left for the top job at UCLA over the weekend. Neal will reportedly get a 5 year deal worth 750 thousand dollars per season. The new deal also has incentives built in and will make Neal one of the four highest paid coaches in the Mountain West Conference. When talking about the hire UNM Athletics Director Paul Krebs said, ” Craig was the man for the job. We did our due dilligence and feel great about the hire. We are excited.” Neal had the support of fans and players. In fact, some of the players hinted that they might seek other options if Neal did not get the job. With Neal on board, the Lobos can try to continue the success they have had the last six years ,concentrate on staying together and prepare for the recruiting season. A press conference to introduce Neal as the 20th men’s basketball coach at the University of New Mexico is scheduled for tomorrow at 3pm.