In the latest edition of Crónicas de la Frontera, co-writers Carlos Torres and Daniel Salinas dove into the life of one of Mexico’s most iconic figures: Julio César Chávez.
The Beginning of a Legend
Julio César Chávez began his boxing career under the guidance of trainer Don Rómulo Quirarte at the CREA facilities in Tijuana. His goal was simple but powerful: to earn enough money to buy his mother a house.
“It was here that I realized I truly had talent—that I could actually achieve my dream of becoming a world champion,” he recalled.
For Chávez, the most fulfilling part of his early boxing days was being able to send all his earnings to his mother in Culiacán. He shared that he achieved his goal of building her a house even before winning a world title.
“I didn’t return to Culiacán until her house was built,” he said.
His mother, Isabel González, recalled how her son chose Tijuana because of its proximity to the U.S. border, which brought him closer to the big fights.
“He used to tell me, ‘Mom, I miss you all so much, but I want to fight. I want to build you a beautiful house so you can live better and in peace. I want to win that championship.’”
Tijuana: More than a City for Chávez
Chávez says that Tijuana embraced him when he arrived chasing his dream. He credits the city for changing his life, as it was his gateway to Los Angeles, and eventually becoming a titleholder.
Carlos Torres recounted one of the most unforgettable moments in Chávez’s career: the 1990 fight against Meldrick Taylor. He described how, in the final seconds of the 12th round, Chávez’s team shouted, “Do it for Mexico! Do it for your mother!”
Chávez did. With a knockout punch, he sealed one of the most emotional victories in Mexican boxing history.
About Crónicas de la Frontera
Launched in February 2025, Crónicas de la Frontera is a series featuring Carlos Torres, the Strategic Projects Coordinator, and journalist-writer Daniel Salinas. The program tells stories set on or near the border and highlights significant moments and personalities tied to the region.
Episodes have included topics such as the iconic performance of Argentine band Soda Stereo in Mexicali, and most recently, the early boxing days of Julio César Chávez.
The show blends narration, animation, and exclusive interviews into short, engaging episodes that bring to light lesser-known stories from Baja California.
Who Is Carlos Torres?
Carlos Torres was appointed Strategic Projects Coordinator by Tijuana’s Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz in October 2024. He holds a law degree from the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), an MBA in Executive Leadership from CETYS University, and a Master’s in Political Action and Citizen Participation from the Bar Association of Madrid.
Torres has worked alongside Burgueño and Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar to promote public projects such as the Esperanto Park in Tijuana and Laguna México in Mexicali.
He also co-authored the book Pedro Infante, en el Cine Curto with Daniel Salinas, which celebrates the cultural and historical legacy of Mexicali. The book was featured at the 2024 Guadalajara International Book Fair.
