Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have sparked worry, protests and the cancellation of a number of public occasions all through the Los Angeles space. Amid the tense local weather, greater than 100 folks just lately gathered on the Maywood Boxing Membership to observe Julio César Chávez Jr. prepare as he prepares to face Jake Paul on June 28 on the Honda Heart in Anaheim.

Chávez, visibly shocked by the turnout, confessed that he didn’t count on to see so many individuals given the circumstances.

“I thought there wouldn’t be people here, because of everything happening, but I’m glad they made the time to come,” the Mexican boxing star informed L.A. Instances en Español moments earlier than starting his coaching session.

Whereas they had been drawn to the prospect to observe a boxing star prepare, the occasion additionally united a neighborhood and confirmed its resilience within the face of adversity.

Boxers Jake Paul, left, gestures towards Julio César Chávez Jr. throughout a boxing information convention on the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in L.A. on Could 14. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and co-founder of Most Priceless Promotions, heart left, and Oscar De La Hoya, of Golden Boy Promotions, heart proper, look on.

(Damian Dovarganes / Related Press)

The previous few weeks have been significantly tough in Los Angeles. Testimonials and movies on social media have documented arrests of immigrants in the midst of public streets, producing a generalized state of worry. Chávez, who has lived within the metropolis for greater than a decade, mirrored on the influence of the raids.

“It even scared me, to tell you the truth, it is very ugly,” he stated. “I don’t understand the situation, why so much violence. There are many good people and you are setting an example of violence to the community.”

Chávez stated his considerations in regards to the raids have little to do with political debates over immigration coverage. He’s extra targeted on the therapy of individuals being detained by federal brokers sporting masks who don’t establish themselves and goal staff who look like immigrants.

“Seeing children left alone because their parents are grabbed. … That is common sense, we are people and we are going to feel bad when we see that situation,” he stated.

Though he acknowledges immigration crackdowns might have an effect on ticket gross sales for his combat towards Paul, Chávez was assured that the combat will go off with out a hitch.

“I don’t think the fight will be affected, maybe the tickets, although you can watch it on pay-per-view at home, because in the end there will be a fight,” he stated. “The support for me is going to be there and if they don’t go, I know they will go another way. People want me to beat Jake Paul with my heart and I want to give a fight like I haven’t given in a long time.”

Sean Gibbons, president of Knucklehead Boxing and MP Promotions, was extra direct. For him, the June 28 combat is protected.

“I don’t think there will be any changes. The fight will happen at the Honda Center in Anaheim, and everything that happens is happening in Los Angeles,” he stated. “If we had done the fight at Crypto.com Arena, it could have been a problem, but I think the people sent a strong message by being here [at the training session], despite everything that’s going on. Hopefully things will calm down long before the 28th.”

Gibbons additionally pressured that the attendance on the coaching is proof that followers are keen to come back out and assist Chávez, even in unsure occasions.

Amongst these attending the occasion was 38-year-old Maywood resident Olaf Luevano. For him, being on the gymnasium was not solely a present of assist for the boxer, but in addition an act of unity.

“This was a good way to come out and support the people, to show everyone that we are together. He is someone from our community and he will come out and fight, representing our people,” stated Luevano, who added that though he has authorized paperwork, discrimination and worry have an effect on everybody equally. “Just because of the color of our skin and how we look, it affects us too.”

Miguel Castañeda, initially from Sinaloa, Mexico, lives in Lynwood and got here to witness the open-door coaching. Castañeda shared the identical nervous feeling, but in addition the necessity to withstand.

“Dismayed everyone, even the celebrities are worried,” stated Castañeda, 39. “One thinks about it, but you have to go out and live. You don’t have to live in fear. Not to be locked up, no, we all have to go out. … We have to be encouraged.”

Castañeda was additionally shocked by the scale of the group on the gymnasium he has visited previously.

“I’ve never seen so many fans in this gym. It’s good to see this, that people come out to support,” he stated.

Two miles away, Chávez’s legendary father opened the doorways of the now defunct Azteca Boxing in Bell to attach with followers earlier than a few of his historic bouts.

Julio César Chávez Jr. stated figuring out in entrance of a giant group of followers not solely motivates him, but in addition connects him along with his roots.

“It’s impressive, the people there. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many people together and even more so in these difficult times,” he stated. “It’s a motivation to keep working hard. Also, coming to these kind of gyms, people remember the times of before and I am very grateful.”

Chávez stated he takes subject not solely with the raids, however the best way political speeches — particularly these by President Trump — have attacked immigrants.

“I’m from Sinaloa, where you see things over there so ugly and to come here, to such a beautiful country, and see Trump attacking immigrants, Latinos, without a purpose,” Chávez stated. “… You have to get closer to God and I think Trump made a bad decision.”

Chávez stated he understands the worry many in the neighborhood really feel on account of the latest immigration crackdown, but it surely was encouraging to see folks collect at his gymnasium.

“One of my trainers didn’t want to come because of the fear of ICE,” he stated. “… I just ask them to take care of themselves, to stay away from danger. We know … there is a very big conflict and we’re hoping that nothing bad happens.”

This text first appeared in Spanish by way of L.A. Instances en Español.