Julio César Chávez, the greatest Mexican boxer of all time, is about to give you a window into his life beyond the ring. While everyone knows of his victories and accomplishments, what we are about to reveal will make you see Chávez in a very different light. Chávez openly discusses the personal struggles that shaped his life. Despite receiving a record $10,000,000 for a fight and having a fortune of over $20 million in the bank, his life was not a bed of roses. The glamour of yachts and private jets could not fill the void he felt. Alcohol and drugs began to erode his most cherished relationships, affecting his marriage, his relationship with his children, and his mother. But that’s not all—Chávez reveals aspects of his life that have been hidden for years. He shares how, at the peak of his career, he was linked to cartels and faced serious legal troubles that turned his world upside down. He recalls his epic fight against Héctor “Macho” Camacho, where the pressure reached extreme levels. Additionally, he opens up about his personal battles with addiction and his visits to rehab clinics.

This video is not only an opportunity to learn more about the man behind the myth but also to see how he faced and overcame obstacles that few could imagine. How did he handle fame and temptations? How did he face his own demons? Julio César Chávez reveals all this and more, offering a candid and moving perspective on his life. But where did it all begin? Let’s start at the beginning.

Before diving into the topics mentioned, let’s talk about Julio César Chávez’s early life. He was born on July 12, 1962, in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, and had an impressive professional career from 1980 to 2005. Chávez remembers how he lived his childhood in Culiacán: “Even though I was born in Ciudad Obregón, I lived my whole life in Culiacán. My dad was a railroad worker, and we moved there when I was very young. I grew up in a large family, we were 11 siblings, and life wasn’t easy. We didn’t have a television, and the food was simple, but we were united by hard work and struggle.”

He mentions how his older brothers often made him fight with gloves, even though he didn’t always enjoy it. This taught him a lot about life and boxing. Chávez expressed his desire to be remembered in Culiacán, his adopted home, and made it clear that, despite everything he’s gone through, he always carries the city in his heart. He recalls how life was in his early years at home: “We lived in a railroad car because we didn’t have our own house. My dad, who was a railroad worker, got us this car because we couldn’t afford a house. My family and I, including my siblings, spent a lot of time there. Life wasn’t easy. We slept on the floor, and there wasn’t much space. My siblings and I got used to living in harsh conditions as kids. Sometimes they put gloves on me to fight. My sisters would give me a penny to train with other kids, and even though I took some hits, that was part of life.”

From those early days of receiving a penny to the big fights for millions of dollars, the transformation has been amazing. He remembers the fight he won the most, where he earned $10 million. “It’s incredible to think about the difference between earning a penny and that amount. Although I didn’t imagine it back then, it was a radical change from being a child.”

The training was tough, and he often didn’t like taking punches, but his family, especially his mother, worked hard to support them. Despite the difficulties, there were times when his siblings came home bruised, but they kept going. His mother, who did laundry and ironing, was always there for them. His dreams of becoming a world champion began when his older brothers left. Despite the hardships, he always hoped to achieve something big. When he finally became a champion, he was able to change things. He bought a house for his mother and made sure she lived comfortably. “That was one of the most rewarding things for me.”

Looking back, his childhood Christmases were very different from the ones his children have today. There were no luxuries or gifts. Sometimes, there was only a simple meal. Compared to his neighbors, who had more resources, their celebrations were humble. When his children grew up, he wanted to give them everything he couldn’t have. But this also brought challenges. Although his children didn’t need to fight, they saw their father in the ring and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Sometimes he wondered why they chose boxing when they already had a secure life. His alcoholism also affected his life and his family. It was a difficult journey, but he has worked hard to overcome these problems. Now, he finds satisfaction knowing that, although his children also face challenges, he is there to support them.

It’s true that addiction can be hereditary, and his children have sadly also faced their own struggles. He has tried to teach them to learn from their mistakes and not repeat them. Finally, when looking back at the time in the railroad car, it seems distant, but he values every experience that led him to where he is now. Despite the difficulties, he has achieved much and is thankful for every step along the way.

He remembers with pain the death of his brother when he was 4 years old. “It’s a very painful memory. I don’t like talking about it, but these things happen, and it’s important to remember them.” It was a tragic accident. A car ran over him right in front of our house, and it caused a lot of suffering for my family, especially my sister. “I remember that when I speak of Omar, the memory is still very present. Even though all my other siblings are fine, losing a brother is something that hurts deeply. It happened 73 years ago, and I still feel the impact of that loss.”

He thanks God and his wife, who have been a huge support to him. “They’ve been essential in helping me overcome my addiction problems. My recovery friends and my wife have been my constant support.” He was fortunate to have a support network that helped him move forward. “My recovery companions and my wife have helped me stay on track and avoid relapses.”

When his brother died, it was a tough blow for them all. “It was a situation I couldn’t fully process. Sometimes people would ask me how I managed those difficult moments, and the truth is, I didn’t have clear answers.” Life tests us in many ways.