CULIACAN, Mexico (AP) — Inside a sports activities enviornment in Sinaloa state’s capital, the gang was sparse early on the cardboard as younger novice boxers in puffy headgear threw punches and danced in regards to the ring. Exterior stood a bronze statue of Julio César Chávez in boxing trunks, one glove raised.
The occasion Friday was organized by certainly one of Chávez’s brothers and “The Legend” himself was marketed as a specifically invited visitor. However Chávez didn’t seem. It had been a troublesome week for the household.
Chávez’s eldest son, Julio César Chávez Jr., was arrested by U.S. immigration brokers exterior his house in Los Angeles on Wednesday, accused of overstaying his visa and mendacity on a inexperienced card utility.
However extra important right here in Culiacan was that the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety additionally famous that there was an lively warrant for his arrest in Mexico for alleged arms and drug trafficking and recommended ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. The company stated he can be processed for expedited elimination.
The Legend
The title Julio César Chávez in Culiacan is like saying Diego Maradona in Argentina. Folks cease and conversations start.
Chávez is the town’s idol and supply of delight, identified merely as “The Legend.” He went from a working class neighborhood alongside prepare tracks to the very best echelons of boxing fame and have become a nationwide hero.
However when the questions flip to Chávez’s eldest son and the Sinaloa Cartel, dialog ends and eyes avert.
There was a time when many in Culiacan would converse of the cartel that carries their state’s title, maybe with euphemisms, however brazenly all the identical, as a result of its management was full and for that they largely lived in peace.
However since a bloody feud erupted between factions of the cartel final 12 months, following the kidnapping of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada to the USA by one of many sons of former chief Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, it’s safer to keep away from any point out in any respect.
Alleged cartel ties
Within the stands Friday evening, the arrest of The Legend’s son, was on the minds of many, however mentioned solely in hushed voices.
Óscar Arrieta, a sports activities reporter in Culiacan, covers boxing and stated Chávez Jr.’s arrest had had a huge impact in Culiacan, largely as a result of the “harsh” approach U.S. authorities linked him to organized crime.
U.S. authorities didn’t element the alleged ties between Chávez Jr. and the cartel apart from to say that he married a U.S. citizen who’s the mom of a granddaughter of Guzmán.
He mused at why if there had been a Mexican arrest warrant since 2023, hadn’t there been any effort to seize him. He was a really public determine, lively on social media and for the previous six months or extra, coaching for a extremely promoted battle in California.
On Friday, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that he had principally been within the U.S. for the reason that arrest warrant was issued.
“I feel it was additionally a approach for the USA to show the Mexican authorities in a approach, however indisputably way more impactful, as a result of usually sports activities doesn’t combine with the rest, a lot much less with organized crime,” Arrieta stated.
‘A superb particular person’
Culiacan’s boxing gyms had principally been quiet since Thursday’s announcement of Chávez Jr.’s arrest, in preparation for Friday’s occasion.
There had already been weigh-in for Friday’s fights and most fighters weren’t round.
At one which was principally coated outside areas, youngsters tightly wrapped their wrists, bounced and shuffled, shadow boxing in a circle.
Jorge Romero is a former skilled boxer who skilled beneath one other Chávez brother. Now he’s a coach at Sinaloa Autonomous College.
Romero stated he is aware of Chávez Jr., regards him “a wonderful particular person, an awesome human being” who had actually targeted on his coaching forward of his bout in California only a week in the past. He expressed full help for him.
Questions of ties between Chávez Jr. and arranged crime, Romero stated, have been “too delicate” to the touch. However normally, he stated boxing and the cartel walked separate paths in Culiacan.
“We don’t have something to do with organized crime,” he stated. “Quite the opposite, it’s a clear sport, very wholesome from my standpoint.”
