With Mexico City’s Zócalo packed with over 42,000 participants, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo led the opening of the National Boxing Class—a historic event held simultaneously across all 32 Mexican states. As part of the «Addressing the Causes» pillar of the National Security Strategy, this activity reinforced the government’s commitment to peacebuilding and to promoting sports as a transformative tool.
“This class is a message to all of Mexico and to the world: in Mexico, we build peace and prosperity, and we always choose to be a free, independent, and sovereign nation,” Sheinbaum declared, addressing a crowd dressed in green, white, and red. The president highlighted that the event represents the solidarity, courage, and unity of the Mexican people, emphasizing that young people are both the present and the future of the country.
In her speech, Sheinbaum proclaimed: “The people of Mexico say yes to education, yes to sports, yes to peace, yes to love. No to violence, no to racism, no to classism, no to machismo.” She stated that sports make people freer, healthier, and happier, and affirmed that this event demonstrates the power of an organized people.
The historic day featured boxing legends like Julio César Chávez, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Durán, Marco Antonio Barrera, Irma García, Jessica Nery Plata, Rey Vargas, among many other national and international champions. Also in attendance were WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, Education Secretary Mario Delgado, Director of Physical Culture and Sports Rommel Pacheco, and representatives from the United Nations and global sports-for-peace organizations.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada Molina declared that with this massive class, Mexico delivered a knockout to violence and reaffirmed national unity through sport. The presence of athletic icons, institutional representatives, and thousands of citizens made it clear: Mexico is firmly advancing toward a social model that prioritizes well-being, health, and peaceful coexistence.
