Mexico's Boxing for Peace classes draw thousands across 1,090 gyms

More than 1,000 gyms across Mexico hosted free Boxing for Peace classes on Sunday, bringing thousands of children and teenagers into a coordinated national sports programme. The sessions were organised through a partnership between the Mexican government and the World Boxing Council (WBC).

The activity reached 1,090 gyms in 256 municipalities across all 32 states. The programme is designed to give young people access to boxing while promoting discipline, persistence, respect and teamwork through regular training.

A total of 2,263 professional boxers are involved as instructors. The classes are open to girls and boys at no cost, with sessions planned for one hour each day. The organisers are working towards expanding the network to 5,000 instructors and providing training for 100,000 young people.

The initiative brings together the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro, Mexico’s National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport and the WBC. Its stated focus is to provide constructive sporting opportunities in municipalities affected by violence and create safer spaces for young people to spend time together.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán described the programme as a way to support the broader development of young people by offering an organised activity during their free time. Labour and Social Welfare secretary Marath Bolaños López said the cooperation between the public institutions and the WBC was intended to strengthen sports culture in communities facing violence.

Registration and gym locations are available through the official Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro platform. Participants can use the platform to find a nearby venue and reserve a place in the free sessions.