Julio César Chávez Calls ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán and ‘El Mayo’ Zambada ‘Extremely Fine People’ in Recent Interview

Since Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, declared war on each other more than a year ago, violence in the state of Sinaloa has spiraled out of control.

Daily killings, kidnappings, and robberies are now common across the region as both factions fight for control over drug-smuggling routes and territories. According to Mexican news outlet Noroeste, since the conflict erupted in September of last year, Sinaloa has recorded 2,283 murders and 2,192 people kidnapped.

Amid the ongoing violence, former boxing world champion Julio César Chávez recently spoke positively about members of the families leading the two warring factions, saying Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán of Los Chapitos and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada of La Mayiza are “extremely fine people.”

During a recent interview, Chávez said that because of his success as a boxer and his life in Culiacán, he repeatedly crossed paths with influential figures in Mexico’s drug cartels, including El Chapo and El Mayo, whom he described as a “very good friend.”

“They are extremely fine people, good people, good folks,” Chávez said. “I have met everyone, including Amado Carrillo Fuentes and many others, and they are all extremely fine people. At least with me. What they do otherwise, I do not know.” He added that he has known some of the current leaders of Los Chapitos since they were children.

Chávez said that El Mayo Zambada was a very respectful man who would call him to come visit.

Despite his comments, the former world champion clarified that he has never worked for these drug lords and that knowing them does not make him a criminal.

“Being a friend does not mean you are involved in the same business,” he emphasized.

When asked about his remarks, Chávez said his judgment is based solely on his direct experiences with the cartel leaders.

“I do not have any knowledge about anything else,” he explained.

According to Infobae México, in past interviews Chávez has revealed that after some of his top career wins, it was common for him to encounter people like El Chapo, El Mayo, and Carrillo Fuentes, also known as “El Señor de los Cielos,” among others, either in the audience or at private celebrations.

Chávez said these encounters and the respect shown to him by such controversial figures were entirely due to his boxing career.

“They would call me, two or three Suburbans full of armed people would arrive, ‘the boss wants to meet you’. It is better to make friends than enemies,” Chávez said.

He said they treated him with respect, but it never meant he had any involvement in their operations or illegal activities. “I never received money from them, I never worked for them. They treated me well because of what I represented, nothing more,” he said.