He started “from the ground up” to eventually train some greats in professional boxing

Por

Angélica Simón Ugalde

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Publicado: 5/11/2024 · 3:27 p.m. MX | Actualizado: 5/11/2024 · 3:27 p.m. MX

Jorge Capetillo is the name of the Mexican boxing coach behind championship stories, such as that of Brandon Moreno, who, with his guidance, won the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) flyweight title for the second time.

Other renowned fighters, such as Tyson Fury, Andy Ruiz, Jorge Linares, Anthony Pérez, and Jorge Masvidal, are among those who have trained at Capetillo Boxing Gym, located at 3430 E Tropicana Ave, Suite 61, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jorge has made this gym a reference point where even stars like Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford come to use the facilities for their training.

“Canelo Álvarez visits us with his team and uses the facilities… I feel very honored, blessed, and grateful that they chose the gym to train,” says Capetillo, inspired by his uncle, Javier Capetillo, to get into this business.

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“Seeing him with his fighters, his champions taught me a lot. It planted a seed in me, and little by little, I started to follow him, learning until I found my path.”

Making History in Las Vegas

Capetillo acknowledges that the journey has not been easy, but it has taught him to value hard work and to “never throw in the towel.”

Like any business or endeavor, says the Mexican-born trainer, you have to start from the bottom, make sacrifices, be persistent, and never give up. You have to withstand ups and downs, learn to wait, be patient, and he’s convinced: “Everything in life comes to you at the right time.”

“I started gaining experience with one fighter after another until the big names began to arrive,” he tells Antonio Anistro in an interview for El Heraldo USA.

Las Vegas has become the mecca of boxing. What used to be Madison Square Garden in New York, during the days of Julio César Chávez celebrating Mexican Independence Day or Cinco de Mayo—important festivities for the Mexican community in the United States—marking these celebrations with boxing matches in a place like Las Vegas, where there is a significant presence of Mexicans and Latinos, has made boxing part of Mexican culture, receiving considerable support from the community.

“Boxing found fertile ground here,” Capetillo affirms.

Honor and Respect: The Core of His Teachings

For Jorge Capetillo, boxing is more than just technique. At his gym, they work on self-esteem and have an anti-bullying program.

“We focus a lot on inclusion here; we want all the kids to feel included. We teach them that they must greet each other, say goodbye, and respect one another. It is forbidden to tease, push, or use offensive language.”

Respect and honor are values instilled through the sport—values that transcend the ring and apply to all aspects of life. “Boxing might not be for you, but discipline is for everyone,” Jorge emphasizes.

Angélica Simón Ugalde