Julio César Chávez Jr. defies fear, trains in L.A. affected by ICE
Immigration and customs’ application raids have aroused fear, demonstrations and the cancellation of several public events in the Los Angeles region. In the middle of the tense climate, more than 100 people recently gathered at the Maywood Boxing Club to watch Julio César Chávez Jr. Train when he is preparing to face Jake Paul on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
Chávez, visibly surprised by the participation rate, admitted that he did not expect to see so many people given the circumstances.
“I thought there would be no people here because of everything that is going on, but I’m glad they took the time to come,” said the Mexican boxing star in Times en Español for a few moments before starting her training session.
While they were attracted to the chance to watch a boxing train, the event has also united a community and has shown its resilience to adversity.
Jake Paul boxers, on the left, make gestures to Julio César Chávez Jr. at a boxing press conference at Avalon Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles on May 14. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and co-founder of Golden Boy Promotions, center on the right, look on.
(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
The past few weeks have been particularly difficult in Los Angeles. Testimonials and videos on social networks have documented immigrant arrests in the midst of public streets, generating a generalized state of fear. Chávez, who has lived in the city for more than a decade, has thought about the impact of raids.
“It even scared me, to tell you the truth, it’s very ugly,” he said. “I don’t understand the situation, why so much violence. There are many good people and you give an example of violence to the community. ”
Chávez said his concerns about raids did not have much to do with political debates on immigration policy. He focuses more on the treatment of persons owned by federal agents with masks who do not identify and target workers who seem to be immigrants.
“Seeing the children left alone because their parents are seized. … It’s common sense, we are people and we will feel bad when we see this situation,” he said.
Although he recognizes that immigration repression could affect ticket sales to fight Paul, Chávez was convinced that the fight will take place without a hitch.
“I don’t think the fight is affected, maybe the tickets, although you can look at him à la carte at home, because in the end, there will be a fight,” he said. “Support for me is going to be there and if they don’t go, I know they will go differently. People want me to beat Jake Paul with my heart and I want to fight as I haven’t given for a long time. ”
Sean Gibbons, president of Knucklehead Boxing and MP Promotions, was more direct. For him, the fight of June 28 is sure.
“I don’t think there will be changes. The fight will occur at the Honda Center in Anaheim, and everything that happens in Los Angeles,” he said. “If we had made the fight at Crypto.com Arena, it could have been a problem, but I think people sent a strong message by being here [at the training session]Despite everything that is happening. Hopefully things will calm down well before the 28th. ”
Gibbons also stressed that participation in training is proof that fans are ready to go out and support Chávez, even in uncertain.
Among those who attended the event were Olaf Luevano, a 38 -year -old Maywood resident. For him, being at the gymnasium was not only a demonstration of support for the boxer, but also an act of unit.
“It was a good way to go out and support people, show everyone that we are together. He is someone from our community and he will go out and fight, representing our people,” said Luevano, who added that he has legal documents, discrimination and fear also affect everyone. “Just because of the color of our skin and our appearance, it also affects us.”
Miguel Castañeda, from Sinaloa, in Mexico, lives in Lynwood and came to attend the open door. Castañeda shared the same nervous sensation, but also the need to resist.
“Everyone’s dismay, even celebrities are worried,” said Castañeda, 39. “We think about it, but you have to go out and live. You don’t have to live in fear. So as not to be locked up, no, we all have to go out. … We have to be encouraged.”
Castañeda was also surprised by the size of the crowd at the gymnasium he visited in the past.
“I have never seen so many fans in this gymnasium. It is good to see this, that people come to support,” he said.
Two kilometers away, the legendary father of Chávez opened the doors of Azteca boxing now disappeared in Bell to connect with the fans before some of his historic fights.
Julio César Chávez Jr. said that training in front of a large group of fans motivates it not only, but also links it to its roots.
“It’s impressive, people there. It’s been a long time since I saw so many people together and even more in these difficult times,” he said.
“It is a motivation to continue working hard. In addition, by coming to this kind of gymnasium, people remember time before and I am very grateful. ”
Chávez said that he bothers raids not only, but the way political speeches – especially those of President Trump – attacked immigrants.
“I am from Sinaloa, where you see things so ugly and to come here, in such a beautiful country, and see Trump attacking immigrants, Latinos, aimless,” said Chávez. “… You have to get closer to God and I think Trump has made a bad decision.”
Chávez said that he understood the fear that many of the community feel after the recent repression of immigration, but it was encouraging to see people gather in his gymnasium.
“One of my coaches did not want to come because of the fear of ice,” he said. “… I just ask them to take care of themselves, to stay away from the danger. We know … There is a very big conflict and we hope that nothing is wrong.”
This item appeared for the first time in Spanish Via Times in Español.
