Inside Team Tapia
Story by Gerardo Martinez
Photos by Jose Leon Castillo
Boxing has a revolving door policy.
Tapia Boxing Academy’s founder knows that as well as anyone.
“They come and go, but the ones that are serious? They’ll be here” says head trainer Chris Chavez. Chavez met former five-time world champion Johnny Tapia about 20 years ago. Two years ago, he became Tapia’s brother-in-law when he married Teresa Tapia’s sister. Since then, Chavez has assisted Tapia with fight preparation.
It was in 2009 when Tapia and Chavez decided to open up a gym in Albuquerque to help the former champion prepare for his last few fights. Besides Tapia, there were a couple of kids training alongside the champ, one of those being Chavez’ own son Leroy.
“We started taking the kids to fight and other kids started asking us to train them,” says Chavez. That’s when they both decided to open up Team Tapia Boxing Academy on San Mateo and I-40.
The official grand opening was earlier this year, but it has been in use since late 2010. “Mi Vida Loca” is in the gym four days a week to assist in the training of the children. Chavez and assistant trainer Raul Yanez are present five days a week. Yanez’ son also trains there.
“We want the kids to come in here instead of being in the street,” says Chavez. “If they’re in here, they’re doing good, even if they don’t fight. If they come in here every day, they’re doing good.”
There are 15 to 16 kids doing “good” on a daily basis at the academy. At the top of the amateur list are 17-year-old Devin Yanez, 16-year-old Leroy Chavez and 13-year-old Jerome Padilla who recently competed at this year’s Ringside World Championships. Alongside the amateurs, there are also a few professional fighters who train at the Team Tapia Gym, including Hector Munoz, Josh Torres and Amanda Crespin.
Chavez says the gym keeps afloat with sponsors and fundraising events.
“The kids at Team Tapia train for the future,” says Chavez, who is also the owner of a small janitorial company. The future, says Chavez, is the professional ranks, where their founder had much success.
Anyone interested in visiting Team Tapia Boxing Academy is welcome to drop by 2500 San Mateo Place in Albuquerque. More information can be obtained on Facebook, as well.
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