Mobile Home | Desktop Version




NACHO BERISTAIN CELEBRATES 85 YEARS

By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Aug 2024



Ignacio "Nacho" Beristáin was born in Actopan but grew up in Xalapa, both towns in Veracruz, on July 31, 1939. Since his youth he has been in boxing as an amateur in the flyweight division and has been a boxing trainer for nearly 65 years.

At the age of 15 he arrived in Mexico City (the former Federal District) and around the age of 20 he began his career as a trainer and during that time he was assistant to the renowned trainer Adolfo "Negro" Perez and reached the amateur ranks with which he led the amateur boxing teams of Mexico with multiple victories in the Olympic Games, achieving 6 medals between 1968 and 1980.

His first professional champion was the holder of the title in two divisions and Hall of Famer, Daniel Zaragoza, followed by Gilberto Roman, Victor Rabanales, Juan Manuel and Rafael Marquez, Ricardo "Finito" Lopez, Juan Carlos Salgado, Abner Mares, Jhonny Gonzalez, Rey Vargas, Yessica Chavez and Humberto "Chiquita" González among many others.

In 2010, Beristain became a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York along with the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson and actor Sylvester Stallone and in 2016 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Even at 85 years of age he gets up at 4 in the morning, arrives super early to the iconic Romanza Gym and has time to train about 40 boxers a day. Around 2 in the afternoon he leaves for his home about 7 kilometers from the Gym, then in the afternoon he runs about 6 kilometers on a treadmill and if you call at 8 at night he is already sleeping.

Congratulations to a great Trainer, Father and Friend.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Pacquiao-Barrios Betting Odds in Las Vegas: Where Are Bettors Placing Their Money?
    By Carlos Costa, Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • Because Comebacks Matter: Pacquiao Fights for Us All
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • FILIPINO OLYMPIAN EUMIR MARCIAL, HARD-HITTING CONTENDER OMAR SALCIDO & MORE ROUND OUT LOADED EVENT THIS SATURDAY, JULY 19 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
    Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • Dumam-ag fights in Japan on July 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • UNDEFEATED KO ARTISTS COLLIDE! ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI SET TO FACE ALBEIRO PAREDES
    Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • Arca to compete in 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships 2025 in Zhuhai, China
    By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Announces Signing of Super Lightweight Prospect Jorge De Jesus to Promotional Contract
    Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 14 JULY 2025: Katie Taylor Makes 3-0 Over Amanda Serrano; Baumgardner Defeats Miranda; Stevenson Outclasses Zepeda; Sheeraz Stops Berlanga
    By Eric Armit, Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Champion Forever: A Century On, ‘The City By The Bay’ Honors Francisco Guilledo
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Philippines Shuts Out South Korea, 7-0, in WBSC Women’s Softball Asia Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Manny ready for Barrios
    By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Don King Productions Rejects Jake Paul's Demand for Mikaelian Step-Aside, Citing WBC Ranking Rules
    By Dong Secuya, Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Argentinian former world champion "Locomotora" Oliveras Suffers Stroke
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • GM Antonio to compete in Taiwan chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • PACQUIAO-BARRIOS FIGHT WEEK IS HERE
    Tue, 15 Jul 2025