Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez steps into the ring once again, but this time with a different mission: to fight addiction through sports. On March 28, 2025, Chavez joined Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum at the conference “La Mañanera del Pueblo.” The meeting was to announce the National Boxing Class, which will take place on April 6, 2025.
The event, organized by the Mexican government in conjunction with the World Boxing Council (WBC), seeks to use boxing as a tool for prevention and recovery from drug use.
The initiative comes at a key moment. The Mexican country is facing an addiction crisis, especially due to fentanyl consumption.
During the presentation, Chavez, who has been sober for more than 16 years, thanked the government for its efforts:
“Sincerely, Madam President, thank you very much for this great work against addictions, because Mexico is going through difficult times, with a lot of drug addiction, with a lot of fentanyl that not only destroys, but kills many people. Thank you for getting into the ring against addictions.”
The National Boxing Class promises to be a historic event. The class counts on the participation of approximately one million people in different venues throughout the country.
Mexico City’s Zócalo will be the main venue, but governors from each state will organize simultaneous activities.
Boxing greats such as Chavez, Oscar de la Hoya and Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Duran are expected to be present.
Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, highlighted the importance of the event:
“This April 6 we are going to make history. Never in the history of any sport, in any country, has there been an event like this: the National Boxing Class.”
The initiative is aligned with the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, reinforcing the role of sport as a driver of social change.
In addition, participants will be invited to join the #WhiteCard campaign, a symbol of peace and unity through sport.
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