-Editorial
Tucked inside an unassuming warehouse at 520 Lincoln Avenue, a new generation of Calexico athletes is quietly building something remarkable. The building’s exterior blends into the surrounding neighborhood, but inside, the sound of gloves hitting bags and the determination of young boxers fill the space with purpose.
For years, La Familia Boxing Club has served as a refuge for local teenagers seeking structure, discipline, and a sense of belonging. Under the guidance of veteran trainers and community mentors, the club has transformed raw talent into focused athletes determined to better themselves both inside and outside the ring.
The boxing club returned to Calexico this month with a strong showing after competing at the Jim Lewis Tournament in Mesa, Arizona, held November 13–16. The team traveled with 14 young fighters and brought home six championship belts and four second-place trophies.
“It went very well,” said Club Secretary Lisa Estrada, who credited both the athletes and the coaching staff for the results. “The coaches are excellent, but if the kids don’t put in the effort, nothing happens.”
Estrada emphasized that the club operates without outside financial support. “We do food sales to cover rent, water, and other gym expenses,” she explained. “Here in the Imperial Valley, we don’t have any type of support for sports outside of school programs. We have to figure out how to fund everything so we can take the kids to other gyms or tournaments.”
The boxing club also honors the legacy of the late Ignacio ‘Nacho Pop’ Sánchez, a respected Imperial Valley trainer who worked with many athletes who later turned professional. In recognition of his impact, the club added his name to its school, preserving the memory of a figure widely admired throughout the region’s boxing community.
Sixteen-year-old Yeremi “Guero” Grimes, says his growing list of amateur victories is only the beginning.
“I’ve won in amateur tournaments like Jim Lewis, Relámpago Mexicali, and here in the United States,” Grimes said. “La Familia Boxing feels like a real family. Thanks to Armando Cárdenas, they make us feel like we belong.”
Grimes said representing Calexico motivates him every day. “I want to represent Calexico, California, because it’s a very forgotten place. A lot of people don’t know about it, and I want to make it famous.
With ambitions that stretch beyond the ring, the young boxer plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps on a four-year contract before turning professional. “I want to be a world champion — a champion in multiple divisions,” he said.
Kathia Airam said her most recent competition was at the Jim Lewis Tournament in Mesa, Arizona, an experience that strengthened her commitment to the sport. “I really like being in this gym because I feel at home,” she said. “I got into boxing because my father wanted me in a sport where I could defend myself, and ever since then, I’ve loved it. I’d like to go to many more tournaments, become more known here in the Valley, and be better represented as an athlete.”
Jacobo Soto said he first discovered boxing after watching videos that inspired him to give the sport a try. “I came here, they taught me, and this is where I became a champion. I’m very proud of myself,” he said. Soto explained that boxing changed his life. “Before, I was always angry and had a lot of problems, but when I joined boxing, all of that went away. They helped me here, and this is where I let out all my anger.” Looking ahead, Soto hopes to reach the Junior Olympics and become part of the USA Boxing team before turning professional at 18.
Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Chavez said he joined La Familia Boxing Club after enduring bullying in elementary school. “What motivated me to get into boxing was all the bullying I went through. I wanted to learn how to defend myself,” he said. “When I came here, I changed a lot. I learned discipline, how to defend myself, and I made new friends.” Looking ahead, Chavez hopes to take his skills to the highest levels. In the future, he hopes to go to the Olympics, join Team USA if possible, and become a professional boxer by the time he is 19 or 20.
