Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar de la Hoya led a massive boxing class in Mexico City's Historic Center on Sunday, teaching thousands of Mexicans the art of the sweet science.
The event, part of a National Boxing Class, took place in Mexico City's Zocalo square and 31 other states across the country. The federal government organized the class as part of Mexico's National Security Strategy, focusing on the Attention to the Causes axis.
Chavez, known as the "Great Mexican Champion," and de la Hoya, nicknamed the "Golden Boy," showed off their best moves to 42,000 enthusiastic Mexicans of all ages. The capital's Zocalo square was painted green, white, and red, mirroring the colors of the Mexican flag.
De la Hoya used the opportunity to promote a positive message, encouraging the crowd to say "no to addictions and yes to boxing." Chavez took to Instagram to thank Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for giving importance to boxing and the country.
The event featured an impressive lineup of boxing legends and current champions. Marco Antonio Barrera, Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez, and Ruben "Puas" Olivares joined the festivities. International stars like Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran also made appearances.
Female boxers got their share of the spotlight too. Lourdes Yoana Juarez Trejo, Irma Garcia, and Jessica Nery Plata Noriega represented women in the sport. Rising stars like Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz and David "Rey" Picasso rounded out the group of instructors.
Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council, attended the event, underlining its significance in the boxing world.
President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the crowd with a powerful message:
"Mexican youth say: 'No to violence, no to addictions'. The people of Mexico say: 'No to racism, no to classism, no to machismo'. The people of Mexico say: 'Yes to education, yes to sports, yes to peace, yes to love'."
The National Boxing Class took place in public squares across all 32 Mexican states, reaching far beyond the capital city. The government aims to use sports, particularly boxing, as a tool to address social issues and promote positive values among Mexican youth.
