After a long week of school, therapies, and other strenuous activities, there's a boxing gym filled with excited youngsters of all abilities having fun, relieving stress, and sharpening their skills, not exactly a typical scene in most boxing gyms. However, there's nothing typical about what's going on at the RVG Elite Boxing Gym, and there's nothing typical about WBC International Welterweight title holder Omar "El Relampago" Juarez and his father Rudy, who call that gym home. The pair spend their Friday evenings dedicating their time and knowledge to helping special needs kids in their home gym. Giving their time to those who are often ignored and overlooked. The Juarez family is giving these kids a fighting chance. Not exactly how the typical 23-year-old, who has achieved fame and success, spends their Friday nights, but again there's nothing typical about Juarez "My parents told me to love one another...my Dad's always been like that. He told my stories when he was in high school, he used to hang out with [special needs kids] because no one would listen to them or pay attention to them. My siblings are the exact same way. We have always been extra nice to them." A humbled Juarez explained.
The 23-year-old has served as Master of Ceremonies for The Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine multiple times. The Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience centered on God's love for people with special needs. Juarez has always had a heart for special needs children "I see what you guys go through [special needs parents], and it makes me feel so grateful for what I have... Honestly, since I've grown up as a little kid, I've had a soft spot for special needs kids. They need more attention, they need a voice." The boxer has served not just as their voice but as a source of motivation and inspiration for so many in the special needs community.
That motivation is a two-way street. As Juarez prepares for the biggest fight of his career, a May 13th date in Las Vegas against two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy originally from Arroyo Naranjo, Cuba. Juarez cites the kids he works with as the source of his motivation "The kids are the motivation. When I feel like giving up, that's what I remember the most, that I'm representing a lot of kids. I have to show them it's not just talent that gets you here. It's the discipline, the hard work. It's the grind. I always preach you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable", the 23-year-old explained.
Juarez is the subject of an upcoming Documentary directed by Marie J. Magdaleno, which will be released in the Fall and is titled "More Than a Champion". It's a personal and in-depth look at Juarez as he trains for his upcoming battle. Magdaleno, also a Brownsville native, will get to tell the incredible and inspiring real-life story of a fighter, an inspiration to the voiceless, and a philanthropist, from Brownsville to the world. The director was presented with other possible candidates but was moved and inspired by the story of Juarez. She knew that she had to tell his story, "There were other candidates on the table that I was going to move forward with to document, and then Omar got brought to me. I did some research on him, and we are very similar. We're both very hard-working, driven, and determined, yet we care about our community and want to give back, so when I saw Omar was like that, I said this is the gentleman that I want to tell the story of. I want people to know hes more than a champion."
Having spent several days with the WBC title holder at his fight camp, Magdaleno was amazed by the work ethic and determination of the champ. The acclaimed director described the experience "It was quite an experience. I went in with no expectations, I have always followed boxing, but I have never seen how a boxer prepares for a big fight... Seeing Omar on the verge of tears at one point, the workout is so intense and so hard, and he follows through! It's pretty amazing and impressive to see that type of ethic. I can't wait for the fight. I've seen already what he has done to prepare for it."
What amazed the decorated film director the most was the ability the fighter showed to "hit the switch" and go from dangerous world-class fighter to gentle monster, "Omar is soo dangerous inside the ring, and then he switches the switch, and he's this gentle monster. That's Omar! He's so kind in person."
The gentleness and kindheartedness seem to be the exact opposite of what we see from the dangerous, body-snatching warrior in the ring. He hits the switch and transforms from a warrior to a genuinely loving person with a heart as big as Texas for kids who are often marginalized and forgotten about. The Texan describes his connection with the kids "The reaction and the connection that I get from them all it's beautiful, and its extra motivation."
Motivation is another reoccurring theme in the boxer's life. In addition to his work in the special needs community, the championship boxer volunteers as a motivational speaker, having worked with and inspired the kids in Brownsville since he was 16 years old. In the Summer of 2021, Juarez needed to "practice what he preaches", as he says, after suffering a controversial and disputed loss to All Rivera. Juarez recalls the immediate aftermath of the verdict "I cried like a baby, but it was time to practice what I preach." He decided to record a video telling the kids, "You can never give up on your dreams, and I'm not going to give up on mine. No matter what happens, I'm going to be great, no matter what happens. I'm going to keep pushing." The kid from Brownsville did just that he bit down, put it behind him, and got back to work.
That loss has been used by detractors to try and get under the skin of Juarez. It's been used to try and irritate him. However, it has not sidetracked him at all "No matter what knockdowns, or what losses, you can still make your dreams come true if you're persistent and disciplined and most importantly if you are faithful with yourself and the man upstairs." Juarez said. He's been able to focus through the distractions and get back on track. His laser-like focus is something he credits both his wife and his faith in Jesus Christ for "God always gives me strength, through the dark times." Juarez said. "Through the storm, I'm holding His hand, and we are pushing through. I just got to keep pushing through that storm, and after that storm is the beautiful sunshine." He explained.
That beautiful sunshine is now on the horizon for the 23-year-old. He has put together three consecutive wins since the 2021 loss, including his most recent win back in December against Austin Dulay. Juarez has been patient and, through hard work, discipline, and determination, has gotten himself back into the world title picture. It has also taken a lot of patience to get back into this position. Juarez credits his patience as the most important thing he has learned from the countless hours working with the special needs kids, " I've learned patience, being patient with yourself, and being patient with others," Juarez explained.
With a win on the 13th, all the patience and perseverance may very well pay off. A win would put Juarez in position for a world title fight. A dream come true for the Brownsvillian that would mark the culmination of his relentless hard work, determination, and his blood, sweat, and tears. All the elements that took the humble, polite kid from Brownsville to the top of the boxing world. When Juarez does get to a world title, it is something he said he would give full credit to the kids for, "they have served as motivation and kept me going through all the difficulties and distractions." Juarez said of the kids.