Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Mexico City’s Zócalo hosts mass boxing class for 30,000

Mexico City’s Zócalo square played host to its latest massive event, as some 30,000 people attended a free boxing class on Saturday – setting an unofficial new world record.

Coaching the class was legendary Mexican boxing champion Julio César Chávez, who led the crowd in the opening round. Former champions Irma “The Whirlwind” García, Erika “Dynamite” Cruz, and Ana María Torres also led sessions at the World Boxing Council-sanctioned event.

Mexican boxers
A host of Mexican boxing stars joined the coaching line up at the Zócalo. (Martí Batres/Twitter)

Chávez, who is 60 years old, is considered to be one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time. He began the class by ringing a bell, warning the crowd “We will keep it simple, but hold tight, because I’m going to make sure you work.”

There were also messages of support for the participants from Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone – best known for his iconic role as battling boxer Rocky Balboa – and World Heavyweight Champions Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Evander Holyfield. Last year’s mass boxing class, which had an attendance of 14,299, was certified as a Guinness World Record, and that figure has been doubled this year. Since this year’s class was open to children as young as four years old and saw many participants in wheelchairs, the session was not eligible to take the official title again – though WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán said they would try for the record next year.

“The truth is that the number of people is impressive, it reminds me of the Azteca Stadium,” Chávez told Fox Sports. “I am happy and proud of all these young and not-so-young people who are here in the Zócalo.”

“Being around young people gives you energy, and they surround themselves with us, the older adults, since they see that we continue to give our best and we can inspire them,” José Luis Pérez, a 70-year-old attendee, told Reuters. Organizers say that the event will take place every year to help promote boxing and recreation in the city. Smaller events will take place in community centers across the capital on a more regular basis. 

With reports from Aristegui Noticias and Excelsior

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.

What’s on in San Miguel de Allende in July?

0
Celebrate Jesus, the blues and a postmodernist poet as San Miguel de Allende prepares for a busy month of July.
A soccer player in the black Mexican uniform dribbles ahead of another player in a white and blue uniform

Mexico to face US in Concacaf Gold Cup final after victory over Honduras

1
Teamwork between teen soccer star 'El Chavito' and veteran center-forward Raúl Jiménez won the day on Wednesday and earned Mexico its ticket to the finals.
Guadalajara cathedral

What’s on in Guadalajara in July?

1
Baseball, flamenco dance, classic pop, mind-boggling hypnosis and all the craft beer you can drink are on offer in the capital of Jalisco this month.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity