Legends on the Animas 

Professional boxing hasn’t been in Durango since 1915, when Jack Dempsey fought in the El Rancho Tavern before he rose to fame as the heavyweight champion. Now, 100 years later, professional boxing is returning with “Legends on the Animas.” You’re watching The Local News Network, brought to you by Dunkin’ Donuts and San Juan Regional Medical Center. I’m Sadie Smith. On October 12th, professional middleweight boxers Hector Macho Camacho Jr. and Andrew Hurricane Hernandez will match up at the “Legends on the Animas” for the Legends Boxing Foundation World Middleweight Championship at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. The family-friendly event, a collaboration between the Good Fight Boxing Gym and other local sponsors, promises a day full of live music, food, and entertainment.

This is something you can bring the whole family to. We have amateur boxing in the earlier part of the day. We are going to have food, live music, giveaways. Our nonprofits are going to have some interactive activities. It’s going to be fun for everyone. And then the pro card starts around 4:00 in the afternoon. We are going to have a full card of really talented people culminating in a world championship title fight.

Camacho Jr. is the son of the late three-time world champion Hector Macho Camacho. Known for his quick hands and flamboyant style, Camacho won 79 of his 88 bouts with only 6 losses and 3 draws.

There’s always pressure. Always pressure. I got to defend the legacy. But at the same time, what he accomplished, that’s what he accomplished. I got my own legacy that I’m building now, so.

Camacho Jr. has been staying in Durango to train leading up to the fight. During his stay, he has been involved in helping train and motivate Durango’s youth in boxing at the Good Fight Boxing Gym

Time when I was young, we had different fighters come to the gym, and after, you know, going back reminiscing, those motivational speech they should give us, it meant a lot to me, you know. So coming back and helping the youth and let them know it’s possible, it could happen, and keep pushing, keep working.

His expertise is well appreciated by those who receive it. For local boxer Andrew Flamm, “Legends on the Animas” will be his professional boxing debut and is excited about the transition from amateur to professional boxing.

Hector Camacho Jr. is here today, like, training with people like that. Hector Camacho Jr. said I look slick today. He turned around and I started dancing like it’s nuts. This is from another world.

Katy Kopec, owner of the Good Fight Boxing Gym, hopes this event is able to inspire others and bring about a sense of community.

We hope this event helps promote our mission, which is to empower people in our community through the sweet science of boxing, to conquer personal obstacles and improve their lives. That’s what we’re about, that’s what we do every day, and if this event can help us do that on a larger scale, then that is a victory.

Gates open at 9:00 AM and the event lasts all day. Tickets can be purchased on the Good Fight’s website, legendsonthanimus.com, or they can be found on Eventbrite. For more information about this and other stories, visit durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of The Local News Network. I’m Sadie Smith.