“Chema” Delgado's disability didn’t stop him from boxing
By Isaac Guerra
It was in the middle of 1996 when in the United States, a baby barely six months old suffered the consequences of a car accident when traveling with his family.
He lost his right leg from the knee down. The situation for that baby was critical, but his family immediately took him to the UCLA hospital in Los Angeles, where they managed to put it back on, since then he spent it in the surgery room until today he continues to be operated on, already adding around 70 surgeries.
This is the story of José María Delgado, who is now a professional boxer, fighting against all odds, against the discouragement of many who wanted to dissuade him from boxing.
“When I was 6 months old I had a car accident where my right leg was severed, my parents immediately attended me and managed to rescue it at UCLA, I had about 70 operations but eight years ago I had a big surgery and I was in bed for a year and a half, I put on a lot of weight, about 200 pounds and they told me that I should exercise and I liked boxing and now I’m a professional”, says ‘El Chema’.
The young boxer assures that they did not give him hope of being able to box, because he requires a prosthesis, however, today he has managed to overcome all obstacles.
“They always tried to discourage me from saying that boxing is not for you, but the support of my parents, my promoter Godoy and surrounding myself with positive people, plus the energy that I I put.”
‘El Chema’ trained in Robert García’s gym and even became a sparring partner for former Olympian and three-time world champion Abner Mares but given the few or no opportunities to fight in his country, he decided to emigrate to Culiacán, feeling more Mexican, because his parents are from Zacatecas and he speaks Spanish very well.
He gladly mentions that many people when he realizes his handicap after seeing him fight, approach him, and give him words of inspiration.
“Many people come up and congratulate me after a fight, that I am an inspiration to them, that makes me very happy, and I tell them that, despite my disability, I won’t back down.”
Today, ‘Chema’ is going to fight for 6 rounds in Culiacán, Sinaloa, where he has spent a large part of his career, this Thursday the weigh-in ceremony took place, he arrived walking with difficulty, but with his heart soaring, showing Adalberto Bórquez ‘El Terrible’, that he’s ready to compete.
“If the opportunity comes for a championship, it would be a dream for everyone, more because of the way I am. Many may think that I will not have that opportunity, but I would like to show them that it is possible to fight for a world title, in a sport that is risky, but if I want to, I can show them that it can be done”, he said.
‘El Chema’, is a boxer who overcomes limits.
Thor: Love and Thunder trailer breakdown
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News