Renán Barrera encourages the unity of society and harmonious coexistence through sports

The Municipal President, along with former world boxing champion Julio César Chávez, visited the Multi-Functional Gymnasium located in Juan Pablo II.

Mayor Renán Barrera Concha welcomed a visit from Julio César Chávez, the Mexican boxing champion, and they discussed the importance of promoting sports in the Municipality, as well as getting acquainted with the new Municipal Multi-Functional Gymnasium in Juan Pablo II.

Their work agenda began with a meeting at the “Rosa Torre González” Council Hall, where the Municipal President received and exchanged views on sports promotion with Julio César Chávez, who is a symbol of boxing for Mexico, especially for Mérida and Yucatán, where other great world champions such as Miguel Ángel Canto Solís, Freddie Castillo Martínez, “El Chato,” and Gustavo Hernán Espadas Cruz have emerged.

The Mayor emphasized the humane qualities of Julio César Chávez, considered one of the best boxers of all time, who has developed a rehabilitation program called “If I could, you can too,” aimed at preventing the consumption of harmful substances and providing hope to families.

Barrera Concha invited the Mexican boxing legend to enjoy the wonders offered by the white city, Mérida, which can be appreciated through its culture, cuisine, safe streets, and warm-hearted people.

During his visit to Mérida, the pugilist and sports commentator, accompanied by his wife Myriam Escobar Valles, learned about some of the programs promoted by the City Council, such as the Food Basket program under the responsibility of the municipal DIF (Integral Family Development), which, since the beginning of the administration until July 2023, has delivered over 40 thousand food baskets with an investment of over 6 million pesos.

As part of the activities, at the City Hall’s entrance, the former world champion handed over 20 food baskets for the City Council to distribute among the most vulnerable families through DIF Mérida.

Later, the Municipal President and the former professional boxer visited the Juan Pablo II residential area to present the programs and actions being prepared at the Municipal Multi-Functional Gymnasium, which will offer users the opportunity to learn self-defense techniques and boxing.

During the tour, Barrera Concha pointed out that Yucatecans have also embraced boxing as one of their favorite disciplines, given its deep-rooted presence in the State. Therefore, the support is provided with the aim of continuing to have great female and male boxers.

Julio César Chávez thanked the affection and warmth of the people of Mérida and acknowledged the municipal government’s work in supporting and promoting sports spaces, contributing to more young talents achieving their dreams.

The Municipal President recalled that the Mérida City Council currently operates two free boxing schools located at the Ciudad Caucel and Polifuncional San José Tecoh sports complexes, which have around 400 participants.

He mentioned that the training is conducted by renowned Yucatecan coaches, such as Abraham “Baloo” Falcón in Caucel, and Susana Salazar Ruíz and Ángela Rendón in San José Tecoh.

He also added that there are coaches for professional boxers, such as Iván “Sonrics” Ramírez, Jéssica Basulto, Víctor “Vago” Durán, Roque “Tejón” Mex, Alberto “Malachito” Chuc, among others.

Barrera Concha highlighted that the only two women serving as trainers in the state are part of these gyms. Moreover, Susana Salazar was a national Olympic medalist in 2010 and in 2019, she was the director of the Mexican Women’s National Team that traveled to Guatemala, composed of champions and runners-up from the Olympic Festival.

Additionally, he continued, the Caucel boxing school has won medals in the State and Regional Phases of the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE) National Games.

Finally, during the activities, the Mayor and the former world champion were accompanied by Alejandro Ruz Castro, municipal secretary; Carlos Estrada Molina, Partner-Advisor of Grupo Akún; Rafael Rodríguez Méndez, councilor president of the Youth, Sports, and Education Committee; Silvia Sarti González, director of the Municipal DIF, and Jesús Aguilar y Aguilar, technical secretary of Municipal Sports.

TYT Newsroom