11/01/2025
in New Mexico for training some of the state's legendary boxers. Now, the longtime coach and mentor, Sergio Chavez, is facing a late-stage cancer diagnosis. But as News 13's Melissa Torres explains, Chavez isn't backing down from the fight. four last 22. We're talking about Sergio Chavez. Sergio Chavez is no stranger to the boxing scene, having been brought up in the competitive combat sport from an early age. Ever since 1972, um, I still have my first trophy and I, I display that all the time. Before becoming the highly respected cutman he is today, he also wore the gloves. A 17-year-old youngster from Grants, New Mexico, Sergio Chavez. Although never going pro, Chavez shaped the careers of countless fighters, including world champions like Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero. He is the best in New Mexico, so it's an honor to be able to work with him. In late March, the 63-year-old was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. Once the words you hear that, it's, it's like, uh, giant... It's a ti- a lifechanging thing. Chavez seeing the diagnosis as the biggest fight of his life, a championship matched with 12 rounds of chemo. The doctor said 12 rounds. I mean, he had no idea what I was thinking. I was like, I'm thinking of way out of the boxing and stuff. You know? It's like, it's like, "Oh, okay." "Okay, we're getting up in the ring again. Okay, let's go." Over the last seven months, Chavez undergoing not 12, but 14 rounds of chemo, while not taking any days off and continuing to train. I'm not gonna stay home and lay down and feel sorry for myself. That's the last thing we'll ever do. When asked what's keeping him in the ring, Chavez said his wife and his community. Uh, 'cause without them, I can't do it. I need their help. You know, that... Just what they've done. Th- that's what they've gotten me through, you know? Chavez and his wife, Tammy, now prepare to take on another round of the fight, undergoing a less invasive chemotherapy in November at a cancer center in Arizona. Chavez says he's ready to come out swinging in February. Keep fighting, keep going, keep going forward. Just don't get hit. Don't get with those left hooks or straight rights. Gotta protect ourselves at all times. Elissa Torres, KQED News 13. As Chavez prepares to undergo treatment this November, his family is asking for donations since the insurance does not cover this form of unconventional chemotherapy. For those interested in donating, we have a link to it on our website, careqe.com. And in All-
