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Boxing in Tepito

Boxing in Mexico is the most popular individual sport in Mexico. It is the second most popular sport next to soccer. Mexico boasts 197 world champions that originated from within its borders. The first Mexican boxer to become a world champion was Jose Perez Flores, or battling show. This tradition of boxing excellence carries over into the present day with Juan “churrito” Hernandez. Oftentimes, the boxers of Mexico fight in the light or medium weight categories. Mexico’s contribution to the sport of boxing is undeniable and further, Tepitano boxers have outsized this small but scrappy neighborhood near down town Mexico city.

In Tepito, Boxing is one of the neighborhoods proudest traditions. The metro linea B has a symbol of a boxing glove for the Tepito station. Perhaps many of the boxers like to use the neighborhoods rough reputation as the “barrio bravo” or fierce neighborhood, in order to attain some instant respect. Or perhaps to psychologically intimidate their opponents before stepping into the ring with their place of origin’s reputation. Whatever the strategy may be, Boxers from Tepito have become world renowned. Beginning with Kid Azteca, Boxing in Tepito became a tepitano tradition throughout the 80s. Perhaps, as result of the explosion of Fayuca, or the selling of stolen goods, and the resulting increase in quality of life in Tepito, reduced the number of world champions hailing from Tepito. However, Boxing is still a great tradition in Tepito and many train hard at the various gyms around tepito.

The first Boxer from tepito, Kid Azteca, inspired the entire nation of Mexico in 1932. During this era of Tepito’s history, the neighborhood was in desperate poverty. That is not to say that it is not still impoverished today, but, in 1932 many of the houses were made of wood scavenged from around the city. Not to mention, only recently had Mexico came out of the chaos of the 1910 revolution. Perhaps, the recently peaceful country was eager for a hero away from politics, poverty, and depravation the revolution provided.

This boxing tradition in Tepito of producing world champions would continue to until the 1980s. The next boxer from Tepito to gain international fame, was Raul “el Raton” macias. El Raton became one of the most popular boxers in Mexican history. El Raton filled a Mexico City stadium in 1954 with 50,000 spectators. A veritable feat for the burgeoning Mexican sports scene and massive win for the boxing scene. When El Raton died in 2009, the national government declared a day of morning which solidifies his place in Mexican sport and national history.

From 1955-1974 Another boxer from Tepito named Jose “huatlacoche” medal. Perhaps less famous, but from his record of 69-31-8 demonstrates he was a workhorse of a fighter. Huatlacoche was never a world champion, however, he did fight the best of the best. Tepitanos are known for never backing down and Huatlacoche made sure to live up to that tradition in the ring.

Perhaps the most terrifying boxer from Tepito of them all was Ruben “el puas” Olivares. Known in boxing circles as a KO artist, he has 74% Knock out percentage for his entire career. El Puas went undefeated for a total of 61 fights in a row. One could imagine the fear he generated in his opponents with a triple threat of undefeated, 74% knock out rate, and hailing from the barrio Bravo, Tepito. Many consider him as one of the greatest bantamweight fighters of all time and he was inducted into the hall of fame in 1985.

Perhaps the most recent fighters from Tepito from the grand tradition of Kid Azteca, Juan Manuel Martinez. (still searching for more information on him)

Tepito has produced many boxers, but the most famous was either Kid Azteca or perhaps huatlacoche. Since the times of Fayuca, the quality of life has gone up dramatically since the times of kid Azteca. Although violence still plays a part in Tepito, illustrated by the nightclub kidnappings and boxing gym murders of 2011, quality of life has gone up. Many of the tepito residents sell whatever type of goods they can get, but, as a result, the economic outlook has increased a great deal for Tepitanos and world champion boxers tend to come from other more economically imporverished areas. Although the output has become slightly less, Tepitanos boxing culture is vital to understanding both Mexico city and the barrio bravo.