A champion's dream: Mexico boxing legend Julio César Chávez motivates Juárez children

Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times

Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez in a visit to Juárez encouraged hundreds of children and teenagers to follow their dreams and stay away from drugs.

Chávez spoke to the city's youth about overcoming struggles and obstacles on Friday, Jan. 19, speaking from a boxing ring in the center of the Josué "Neri" Santos arena in downtown Juárez.

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He also spoke at the Raúl Palma Cano Municipal Gymnasium in the area known as "El Mezquital" in the southeastern corner of Juárez at a smaller gathering for children who couldn't make it to the downtown event.

Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez gives a motivational talk to children and teenagers on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at the Raul Palma Cano Municipal Gymnasium in Juárez, Mexico. He also spoke at a larger youth event at Josué "Neri" Santos arena in downtown.
Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez gives a motivational talk to children and teenagers on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at the Raul Palma Cano Municipal Gymnasium in Juárez, Mexico. He also spoke at a larger youth event at Josué "Neri" Santos arena in downtown.

"Listen to your parents, anyone who is on a bad path should correct themselves because that does not lead to anything good," Chávez said, according to a city news statement. "It starts with smoking and then comes the next thing and then the next and you end up getting hooked, just like I got hooked until having problems of addiction."

The large motivational event at the downtown arena, titled "El sueño de un Campeón" (A champion's dream), was sponsored by Mexico's National System for Integral Family Development, known by the acronym of DIF, and the city of Juárez.

Chávez is one of Mexico's most-beloved sports heroes. In a career from 1980 to 2005, Chavez was a multiple world champion in three weight divisions and was ranked by "The Ring" magazine as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter in the early 1990s.

Legendary Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez teaches a Juárez boy some basic boxing techniques on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, during a motivational speech to children at the Raul Palma Cano Municipal Gymnasium in Juárez, Mexico.
Legendary Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez teaches a Juárez boy some basic boxing techniques on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, during a motivational speech to children at the Raul Palma Cano Municipal Gymnasium in Juárez, Mexico.

"El León de Culiacán" (The Lion of Culiacan) amassed an astonishing record of 107 wins, six losses and two draws. El Paso and Juárez were among the many places where he fought during his 25-year career.

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"El Gran Campeón Mexicano" (The Great Mexican Champion) has been very open about overcoming alcohol abuse and cocaine addiction in the later years of his career. He regularly speaks out against drug use and encourages people battling addictions.

Chávez, 61, who is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is currently a boxing analyst on Mexican television.

Juárez Mayor Cruz Perez Cuellar said it was a "true honor" to welcome the former boxer. "Listening to your life experience will undoubtedly have a positive impact on children, youth, and Juarenses who love sports," the mayor said on X, formerly Twitter.

Chávez "is a champion in and out of the ring, an inspiration and also indomitable!" the mayor stated.

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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Mexico boxing legend Julio César Chávez encourages Juárez kids

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