In Sinaloa’s capital, information of a boxing scion’s arrest and allegations of cartel ties trigger unease

Sports News


CULIACAN, Mexico — Inside a sports activities area in Sinaloa state’s capital, the gang was sparse early on the cardboard as younger novice boxers in puffy headgear threw punches and danced concerning the ring. Outdoors 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 difficult week for the family.

Chávez’s eldest son, Julio César Chávez Jr., was arrested by U.S. immigration agents exterior his residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday, accused of overstaying his visa and mendacity on a inexperienced card software.

However extra vital 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 prompt ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. The company stated he can be processed for expedited removing.

The title Julio César Chávez in Culiacan is like saying Diego Maradona in Argentina. Individuals cease and conversations start.

Chávez is town’s idol and supply of pleasure, identified merely as “The Legend.” He went from a working class neighborhood alongside prepare tracks to the 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 communicate 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 US 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.

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 big effect 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 combat in California.

On Friday, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that he had largely been within the U.S. because the arrest warrant was issued.

“I feel it was additionally a approach for the US to reveal the Mexican authorities in a approach, however indisputably way more impactful, as a result of usually sports activities doesn’t combine with anything, a lot much less with organized crime,” Arrieta stated.

Culiacan’s boxing gyms had largely 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 largely lined outside areas, youngsters tightly wrapped their wrists, bounced and shuffled, shadow boxing in a circle.

Jorge Romero is a former skilled boxer who educated below 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 individual, an amazing human being” who had actually centered 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, had 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 perspective.”



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