Requiem For A Matador

by Scipio Tex on Apr 7, 2009 3:35 PM CDT

A friend and a true warrior hung up his gloves last weekend and Austin boxing will never be the same. Redemption and grace aren't often found in this world, much less boxing, much less in one boxer's life several times, and when it is realized, it deserves celebration. Jesus is one of those people in life you pull for and if you knew him and his story you'd likely understand why.

When he was 16, Gabriel Sandoval was involved in an armed robbery in Chicago, spent four years doing hard time, and was deported back to Mexico. He walked back across the border, assumed a nom-de-guerre (Jesus Chavez), and strolled into Lord's Boxing Gym in Austin weighing 170 pounds with a two-pack-a-day smoking habit while declaring his intention to win a world title as a lightweight. That's when the Jesus Chavez story gets interesting. Real interesting.

I knew Jesus at the very beginning of his career and we'd intersected at different times since then - the last time in Las Vegas, where we chatted for an hour between flights, Jesus sporting sunglasses to hide the two massive shiners and facial swelling that are the tax on his trade. We caught up on old friends, inquired about each other's lives, and he told me to stop back by the gym. But he was quiet and a little distant. I found out months later that Levander Williams had died.

I first met Chavez when he was a club fighter looking to make his mark, fighting for $500 purses against the hometown favorite before hostile crowds, always going for the knockout to keep the decision out of the hands of corrupt local judges, and without a pot to piss in. He was shy at first, but as you drew him out, he was incredibly funny and wise. The kind of wisdom you acquire through seeing humanity at their best and very worst and having worked through to reconcile that the same species produced both. I was blown away by his work ethic and determination to win.

At the time, he was living in Richard's gym, sleeping on a mattress on the floor in a tiny room off of the main boxing workout area and doing odd jobs in exchange for his room and board: teaching classes to alterno-chicks, yuppies and frat boys, scrubbing blood, mopping spit. There was no air conditioning in Lord's gym - and with all of the heat resistant properties of a Quonset hut - used to break 110 degrees with great regularity. Throwing up in the parking lot, reeling from the heat, chills running up and down your body, was a rite of passage for everyone who trained there.

The gym itself was a strange mix of characters, a lot of that owing to Richard's laid back personality and tolerant nature; and it was a snapshot of Austin at a certain time and place; an Austin that I liked very much and hope can be preserved. There were local frat boys training for Fight Night, pro fighters, both male and female, ranging in ability from amateur to club fighter all the way to the ranked elite, local Austin radio, writing, and television personalities, inked up slackers, Gibby Haynes, lead singer of The Butthole Surfers, Richard Garriott, multimillionaire computer game magnate and space traveller, Amy Miller, of Amy's Ice Cream fame, and an assortment of well-heeled yuppies, freaks, ROTC Marines.

Everyone got along. I've always been of the opinion that shared suffering and the prospect of being asked to spar are great ways for people to both bond and mind their manners; the egalitarian nature of Lord's gym amplified that. As Chavez's legend grew and he developed into a Top 5 Lightweight, he also singlehandedly put Austin, TX on the boxing map. Austin was now a place that you could go to see high quality boxing and that was a good thing - the electricity of a big fight is like nothing you'll experience and it was nice to see Austin become a fighter town. It was also rewarding to have personal stakes; watching him fight on HBO in front of millions and then teasing him while he was stretching days later, pushing him over with my knee when he did bicycle stretches, swapping off-color Mexican jokes; listening to James Brown's I Feel Good with jump ropes synchronized to the beat.

This was your fighter.

I'm sad to see Austin lose an institution in the ring, but Jesus is making the right choice. It was time to throw in the towel. And if he approaches the next chapter of his life with the passion of his last - chin down, gloves up - I know he'll make it through whatever life can throw at him and will, in fact, prosper. Although Jesus would never be undisputed champion or number one in the world - he was both cursed and blessed to come of age in a time when some of the greatest lightweights who ever lived are walking the planet - Jesus has heard the count and his knees have never stayed on the canvas. And that's the hallmark of a true champion.

Buena suerte, Gabriel.

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Comments

really funny the subject of boxing should come up just now. last night i watched the 1953 welter weight title fight between kid gavilan and chuck davey and thought how much i used to love the gillette friday night fights when i was a kid, and how much i still admire the sport.

check the wording of the first sentence, scip.

by glenn on Apr 7, 2009 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

oh, yeah, i enjoyed reading the story of your friend. heck of a guy. thanks for sharing.

by glenn on Apr 7, 2009 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

Greatness. I hadn’t realized you knew him although I should have considering I knew you used to work out at Lord’s.

Thanks for posting this and I love your description of boxing gym comaraderie. Ain’t it so.

by Minnesotahorn on Apr 7, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions

Great read. Thanks for sharing your friend’s story.

by Trips Right on Apr 7, 2009 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

Everyone got along. I’ve always been of the opinion that shared suffering and the prospect of being asked to spar are great ways for people to both bond and mind their manners; the egalitarian nature of Lord’s gym amplified that.

Well said. You might be interested to know that Daniel Day Lewis feels the same way.

In 2007 I visited the set of There Will Be Blood in Marfa, TX visiting a friend who was a producer on the film.

Working in the middle of nowhere with a small crew, DDL quickly caught wind that my friend’s first short film was about boxing and from that day he was anointed as DDL’s daily sparring partner. He’d be out there in full dress, 10 minutes before a live take, sparring to get his heart rate up to the requisite level DDL apparently needs for total character consumption. That’s why you see a lot of deep breathing, sinewy muscles, and pulsing veins in those Academy Award performances. Boxing.

He can’t go more than a few days without punching somebody or being punched and it’s not out of vengeance, malice or anything like that. It’s more of a visceral, integral component to what makes his life complete — the constant need to compete. Like you said, it’s the consummate egalitarian sport.

For some reason your friend’s story reminded me of that one.

Thanks for sharing.

by Vasherized on Apr 7, 2009 5:10 PM CDT reply actions

I was very impressed with DDL in the movie The Boxer. By far the most realistic ring action put on film and you can tell Lewis has got some skills.

Great film in its own right, too. Thanks – great story.

by Scipio Tex on Apr 7, 2009 5:32 PM CDT reply actions

Great post – thanks for sharing.

by Dr. Tobias Funke on Apr 7, 2009 8:40 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah we used to call that the stinger, they don’t let you use that no more.

by Kid Moe on Apr 7, 2009 9:10 PM CDT reply actions

REALLY interesting.

by Dave on Apr 7, 2009 9:15 PM CDT reply actions

The gym itself was a strange mix of characters, a lot of that owing to Richard’s laid back personality and tolerant nature; and it was a snapshot of Austin at a certain time and place; an Austin that I liked very much and hope can be preserved. There were local frat boys training for Fight Night, pro fighters, both male and female, ranging in ability from amateur to club fighter all the way to the ranked elite, local Austin radio, writing, and television personalities, inked up slackers, Gibby Haynes, lead singer of The Butthole Surfers, Richard Garriott, multimillionaire computer game magnate and space traveller, Amy Miller, of Amy’s Ice Cream fame, and an assortment of well-heeled yuppies, freaks, ROTC Marines.

Everyone got along.

A truly great read, Scipio.

by Chooky on Apr 7, 2009 9:20 PM CDT reply actions

Gibby Hanes – Lake Highlands High School All District basketball player and son of Mr. Peppermint.

That is just outstanding.

by Sailor Ripley on Apr 7, 2009 11:23 PM CDT reply actions

Great read. I really mean that. Anyone who has spent time in a real boxing gym will recognize the descriptions of both the people and the environment as spot-on.

Two things especially struck a chord with me. First is the notion that a boxing gym is a place that teachers manners. It may seem counterintuitive to some, but very few people I’ve met over the years in boxing gyms have been mouthy fucks, perhaps because in that sort of environment you can pay for your disrespect with your health.

The second was this: "hands up, chin down" as life-lesson. Perfect.

I’ve lived out of Austin and out of the US for over a dozen years now and don’t follow boxing back home much anymore, so I don’t know Jesus Chavez. But after reading your piece and a few related links, he’s got my respect.

by TKO on Apr 8, 2009 7:19 AM CDT reply actions

great stuff, Scip. Your description of the range of characters who come into gyms in Austin brought back some fun memories from a little MMA training while I was in school. Training Brazilian jujitsu with a stripper and trying to figure out how to get your arm unstuck when she hooks it between her arm and her implant, locks it with her armpit and laughs with devious pleasure isn’t something I ever thought I would have to ponder.

by LonghornScott on Apr 8, 2009 8:28 AM CDT reply actions

Jesus inspires good writing. Jan Reid’s The Bullet Meant For Me is an excellent book about another writer whose life is entwined with Jesus and Lord’s Gym.

by The General on Apr 8, 2009 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

Died? I didn’t even know I was sick..

Smart-assery aside, this is a good story – I enjoy hearing about people who battle through adversity and realize success through dedication and hard work.

We need more of this in our society.

by Levander Williams on Apr 8, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions

Boxing….Snooze….

by Not a fan on Apr 8, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

i had great times going to the Brawl in the Hall back in the early 90s. seems like they used to do it twice a year. great boxing, lots of Yellow Rose gals making the rounds, and of course big beers. and then the roar of the crowd when the ring announcer introduced the feature bout: JESUS EL MATADOR CHAVEZ!!!!!!!!!

having wasted some money to watch heavyweight title bouts that lasted less than two rounds, i really appreciated the quality of bouts that Jesus and the lightweights put on. those guys would pound the crap out of each other’s guts for 10 rounds and still be ready for more at the end. great skill and stamina.

by groover on Apr 8, 2009 10:06 AM CDT reply actions

Stories and writing like this are what make Barking Carnival an absolute favorite (and frequently visited bookmark) of this Sooner.

“I’ve always been of the opinion that shared suffering and the prospect of being asked to spar are great ways for people to both bond and mind their manners; the egalitarian nature of Lord’s gym amplified that.”

I trained for about a year with an Army sergeant who taught traditional Japanese jujitsu as a side job (more stand up fighting and striking, less grappling than its Brazilian variant). The aforementioned attitude was always present in the dojo. You did not open your mouth with anything but utter respect because sparring sessions involved throws, arm and leg bars, chokeholds, and other ways in which a friendly opponent could cause mild discomfort or an irritated opponent could cause intense pain and unconsciousness.

Thank you for sharing that, Scip.

Vasher, that is actually incredible to hear about Daniel Day-Lewis, and it makes perfect sense. Great addition.

by NateHeupel on Apr 8, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

Great stuff, Scipio. Who is the kid in the picture?

I have always wondered why a lot of these MMA guys are so mouthy before their matches. Maybe that is just for TV consumption?

I saw a super interesting sleeper hold yesterday. Jason von Flue was under severe pressure (Alex Karalexis was trying to guillotine Jason). Jason turned slightly and got his shoulder into Alex’s neck. Jason also applied pressure with his hand on the opposite side of Alex’s neck.

In a few seconds Alex was out cold. It turns out that Jason’s shoulder and hand had cut off the flow of Alex’s carotid artery.

Joe Rogan (the announcer) was amazed and appeared to have never seen this technique before.

Do you happen to know what this response to a guillotine is called?

by Kafka on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT reply actions

I was one of that broad ranging group of people who trained at Lord’s. I started out as a frat boy training for fight night and stayed around because I found a love for the sport. My first day in the gym Jesus was training me and the first time I sparred it was with Jesus. He hit me with a left hook to the body that sent me to a knee about 10 seconds into the round and then did it again with about 10 seconds left in the round, standing over me laughing the whole time. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I always make a trip to the gym to see everyone when I make it back to Austin.

Great guy and a lot of fun to chat with. It’s such a shame that he lost so much time to injuries and legal issues in the prime of his career. I was lucky enough to help out with the shows Richard was putting on when Jesus was just starting to get recognition and got to sit with the ring card girls right at the ring for a number of nationally telivised fights.

Jesus and the memories of busting my ass in that oven of a gym are a big part of what makes Austin Austin to me

by Mike on Apr 8, 2009 12:49 PM CDT reply actions

TKO:

Yep. Definitely some life lessons to be learned in the gym.

LHScott:

I would not attempt to improve my position.

Mike –

We had parallel experiences. Fight Night, stuck around, working as security for the Brawls In The Music Hall, chatting up Yellow Rose dancers. Good times and lots of funny stories.

Kafka:

I don’t remember the kid’s name. He wasn’t a fighter or anything. Just wanted to show the grotty interior.

Haven’t seen the move you were talking about – I want to look it up. That’s the cool thing about submission: I remember seeing the first few Royce Gracie fights and rewinding over and over trying to figure out how a triangle worked. The first time I had one slapped on me, I went Ohhhhh, that’s how it works, while the room begin to spin and my vision went to spots.

The mouthy stuff is the same as for boxing: it’s all about fight promotion and a little bit of psyching yourself up. If you went to Randy Couture/Anderson Silva/GSP’s gym, you’d find an incredibly laid back group of guys who talk zero trash.

groover:

Heavyweights gets lots of press, but the fights are often a letdown. You’re right: if you want to see good boxing, stick to the guys weighing between 130-175. They keep pace, but still retain knockout power.

Nate:

You trained in Aiki jiu-jitsu, I think. Glad you liked it.

by Scipio Tex on Apr 8, 2009 1:58 PM CDT reply actions

Great read and story. It pains me a little to read it though. In high school I used to beg my parents to let me box.

As a player who was highly regarded nationally in a “softer sport”, they wouldn’t allow it. Afraid I’d get hurt and ruin my “opportunities”, waste my talent, blah, blah, etc….Still pisses me off to this day. I managed to waste my talent anyway, so moral of the story: If your kid wants to learn to box, let him. Thanks for the read.

by Bartoncreek on Apr 8, 2009 4:14 PM CDT reply actions

Nick Scipio…your an Austin city kid. I’m proud of all of your articles and your contibutions to (what I think) is the finest ‘zine on The web(BC). You have a unique urban-Texan viewpoint.You can be anyone’s best friend. For that sir, I thank you for always enlightening me. Peace 2 u, brother.

by Psychic Fish DRP on Apr 8, 2009 4:36 PM CDT reply actions