New Mexico’s combat-sports community rallies around one of its own

Sergio Chavez, whether by choice or because it’s simply his nature, always has tended to stay in the background while sharing his knowledge and wisdom with generations of New Mexico boxers.

Thus, when Chavez was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March, he shared that devastating news only with those closest to him.

Gradually, though, given the respect and fondness with which he’s regarded throughout the combat-sports community, the news began to spread.

Then, recently, Chavez’s wife, Tammy, established a GoFundMe account in anticipation of her husband’s upcoming extended and costly stay in the Phoenix area for further treatment.

Jacob Maes, a boxing manager and a close friend of Chavez’s since they were in elementary school together in Grants, put the word out.

The outpouring of support from the community, Chavez said, has warmed his heart.

“Oh, my gosh, it’s been unbelievable,” Chavez, 63, said in a phone interview. “I can’t even describe it, it’s been so overwhelming.”

Dozens of fighters with whom Chavez has worked as a trainer and/or cornerman, he said, have reached out: Damacio Page, Ronnie Baca, Matt Griego-Ortega, David Martinez, Amanda Cres-pin, Donald Sanchez, to mention but a few.

Before the cancer diagnosis, Chavez and fellow trainer Manuel Anaya were working with Yoruba Moreu in the development of rising Albuquerque boxing prospect Yoruba Moreu Jr.

The young fighter is thriving under the tutelage of Anaya and the elder Moreu, and Chavez is still considered part of the team. Nevertheless, his absence day-to-day has been felt.

“Serge is one of the top coaches, cutmen, in the state,” Moreu Sr. said. “He’s respected by everybody.”

Maes and Chavez, whose friendship began more than a half-century ago, have worked together as manager and trainer with several fighters over the years. Of Chavez, Maes said, “He’s mentored me and made me a better man in more ways than he knows.”

All the support, Chavez said, has helped him remain optimistic through exhausting chemotherapy treatments.

“We can’t complain, you know?” he said. “What can I say? Life is short. … You’ve got to make the best out of it every day.”

The gift of life, Chavez said, is not to taken for granted.

“My mentality (in the face of cancer) has changed so much,” he said. “… You realize that if you walk out in the middle of the street, somebody could hit you and you’re done. But something like this … I still feel like I have so much more to give for the (fighters), for the boxing community, to my family.”

Chavez and his wife have no children. But, he said, “My kids were the fighters.”

Throughout his treatment, Maes said, Chavez hasn’t missed a day of work. He’s a maintenance supervisor for Jamboree Management, a company that manages several apartment complexes in the Albuquerque area.

“They’ve been good to me,” Chavez said. “I’ve gotten a lot of support from them, too. I’ve been with them for 40 years.”

In his youth, Chavez was a tough and skilled amateur boxer. He won a state Golden Gloves title in 1982, earning Most Outstanding Boxer honors. In winning the title, he defeated Albuquerque boxers Henry Anaya Jr. and Steve Barreras, both of whom went on to successful pro careers.

Chavez, though, never fought professionally. He focused instead on teaching and support, joining the team of young Albuquerque amateur boxer Danny Romero as a cornerman and cutman. He was in Romero’s corner when “Kid Dynamite” won his first professional world title in 1995.

Later, Maes and Chavez together worked to further the careers of boxers Archie Ray Marquez, Joshua Gomez, Ranee Ganoy and Ronnie Baca.

Maes signed Moreu Jr. to a pro contract in June, knowing Chavez’s situation but believing he’d come back. He still believes.

“When this first happened,” Maes said, “I told him, ‘Statistics are for normal people and you’re not normal.’

“This first (session) of chemo, they gave him 12 rounds. And I told him, ‘Serge, you’re getting 12 rounds like a title fight. … Take it one round at a time.’”

Chavez is scheduled for treatment at the Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale. He’ll need funds for lodging as well as for treatment.