UT System Chancellor Allows UT El Paso to Continue Planning for Potential Boxing Match in Sun Bowl

AUSTIN – The University of Texas System released a video message of UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa’s decision to allow UT El Paso to proceed with negotiating contract agreements with various parties to host the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andy Lee boxing match at the Sun Bowl.

Chancellor Cigarroa’s video statement may be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv7ugTGmFcg&list=UUXPBWs2d8vvxSmxY2oDrFkg&index=1&feature=plcp.

On April 26, Chancellor Cigarroa and UT System Director of Police Michael Heidingsfield met via videoconference call with El Paso representatives of the FBI, DEA, ICE, Customs and Border Patrol, and local law enforcement officials

The purpose of this videoconference was to have an opportunity for Director Heidingsfield to present UT System’s Risk Assessment related to the Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., and Andy Lee boxing match and also to receive the risk assessments of the invited law enforcement agencies. There was consensus with Director Heidingsfield’s assessment that this specific boxing match should not be considered a routine special event at the Sun Bowl. There was also consensus that the increased risk indicators for such an event can be mitigated. 

“The thorough and deliberative discussion that ensued during the video conference, coupled with the fact that the El Paso Chief of Police, DEA, FBI and Sheriff’s office addressed my concerns regarding safety by affirming that those concerns can be mitigated to a high confidence level,” Cigarroa said. “This led to my decision to permit UT El Paso President Diana Natalicio to enter into negotiations for UTEP to contract with Top Rank, Inc., for the Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. vs. Andy Lee fight, contingent upon several conditions,” Cigarroa added.

The conditions are:

  • A letter of Assurance from the Chief of El Paso Police, the Chief of the El Paso Sheriff’s Office, the El Paso Director of the FBI and the El Paso Director of the DEA that states any increased risk indicators related to this boxing match can be mitigated to a routine level, assuring that this event can occur at the Sun Bowl;
  • No beverages containing alcohol will be sold or served at this event nor are alcoholic beverages allowed to be brought onto University Property;
  • Any costs for security over and above the normal security measures UTEP would take for such an event will not be encumbered by the University of Texas at El Paso or The University of Texas System;
  • Prior to signature, the contract must be reviewed by the UT System Office of General Counsel and the UT System Office of Risk Management and shall conform with Regents’ Rules and Regulations;
  • A security plan developed by the UT El Paso Chief of Police to be reviewed and affirmed by Director Michael Heidingsfield;
  • A letter to the UTEP community from President Diana Natalicio apprising them of the date and time of the event and providing them assurances that law enforcement agencies have addressed any security concerns resulting from such a boxing match. Furthermore, students and non-essential personnel should feel free to leave the University premises while the event is ongoing.  

“Our universities and health science centers are public institutions and hundreds of thousands of members of the general public visit these institutions every year,” Cigarroa said. “One of the most important responsibilities I have in my role as Chancellor of The University of Texas System is the safety of our students, faculty, staff and campus visitors.”