Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Feb 2026
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaimán participated in a historic session of the traditional "Mañanera del Pueblo" (People's Morning Press Conference) at the National Palace, announcing the creation of "Boxing for Peace," a program integrated into the "Youth Building the Future" initiative. This program will provide boxing classes to 100,000 young people aged 6 to 29 across the country.
"Gyms will be the training centers. The fighters who enroll will receive support from Youth Building the Future, along with the World Boxing Council, which is sponsoring the program. 100,000 children will have access to an hour of classes, with champions as their instructors, to keep them away from drugs and criminal groups," the president stated.
"This will help prevent them from ever being exposed to drugs or joining criminal groups." Registration for this project, which will run throughout 2026 with the hope of continuing throughout the six-year presidential term, is now open through the Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (Youth Building the Future) website from Monday, February 16th to Saturday, February 28th. Classes begin on Monday, March 2nd.
“Today, exactly two days after the 63rd anniversary of the World Boxing Council, a program unprecedented in the world is being officially launched,” said Sulaimán.
“The WBC, the Sulaimán family, my father (José Sulaimán), and I cried tears of joy. It will take time, with people dedicating their effort, going to the gym in pursuit of a dream, battling loneliness and not having enough to eat properly… Boxing unites families and is always seeking peace.”
The event featured reigning champions and notable figures in boxing, including Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, Jackie Nava, Cristian Mijares, Mariana “Barby” Juárez, and David Picasso, among others, to promote a passion for the sport and the hope for a prosperous future driven by boxing.
Cruz and Mijares presented Mayor Sheinbaum with a pair of boxing gloves to commemorate the occasion.
“Boxing is very popular in Mexico. It’s impressive… Everyone who loves boxing will have a free space where Mexican champions can serve as an example and source of inspiration,” said Sheinbaum.
“It’s time to stop engaging in harmful activities. To say no to crime and put on the gloves for our nation, for our Mexico, so we can all move forward together,” declared Cruz.
The champions, for their part, emphasized the importance of doing their part for a prosperous future.
“I want to thank the Mexican government, President Claudia Sheinbaum, and the World Boxing Council for this opportunity. Today, I don’t want to speak as the boxer I am now, but as the boy whose life was changed by boxing… Talent exists everywhere, but opportunities aren’t always there. Today, with the ‘Boxing for Peace’ program, that path begins to exist, and thousands upon thousands of girls and boys will be able to develop their passion. There will be no more lost dreams, no more wasted dreams,” Picasso said.
Jackie Nava and Barby Juárez also spoke about what it means to them to help Mexican youth.
“Most of us have been champions, but you have to become one to get noticed.” “I congratulate the Federal Government and the World Boxing Council for this opportunity that we didn't have before, and which is being given to so many young people so they can have access to education and boxing, taking them off the streets,” said Nava.
“Boxing is one of those sports where all you need is a big heart and to give 100 percent to change your life. That's why it's one of the sports that has brought us the most glory, because of that need we have to get ahead and fight for our own, giving our families a better life. We embrace that dream from a very young age,” said Juárez.
In this way, the World Boxing Council “confirms its absolute commitment” to the boxing commissions, all the federations, and gyms in Mexico.
“We will be boxing for peace,” concluded Sulaimán. “14 Olympic medals. More than 200 world champions. This program will definitely give an opportunity to those who start practicing boxing, and it can even become a talent scouting process for the future.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
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