Local amateur boxer making waves out of Yuma

Daniel Chavez Jr.'s day consists of more than most 14-year-olds would be willing to do, but a conversation with his grandfather has kept him motivated for great success

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Local amateur boxer Daniel Chavez Jr. (22-5) is quickly becoming a name in the ring to keep an eye on.

His most recent win back in the Arizona Golden Gloves Open division helps to prove his dominance.

It's all success fueled by a grueling schedule most 14-year-olds wouldn't think about doing.

"Waking up early in the mornings before school to go on your run, then having to take a shower and catch the bus, then being back home, and having to go to the gym," Chavez Jr. said.

Having already won many other tournaments in places like Las Vegas and Mexico, his victories could very well be his sole source of motivation.

However, Chavez Jr.'s desire is something fueled by his late grandfather Pedro, and a conversation the two had the day before Pedro died.

"I called him and I did promise him that I was going to be world champion one day, so I'm just keeping that promise to him, I'm going to make it, I already promised him, I'm not going to break that promise," Chavez Jr. said.

That drive keeps Chavez Jr. going to the Yuma Fight Academy as much as possible, training under Gary Diaz.

Diaz has already helped other local fighters such as Erick Gutierrez and Anthony Soto launch their pro careers.

"He's played a huge role, he's always taking me out to get the work in, without Gary I don't know where I'd be right now," Chavez Jr. said.

Originally, it was Chavez Jr.'s dad, Daniel Chavez Sr., who got his son into boxing in the first place.

At six years old, Chavez Jr. got kicked out of a karate tournament for punching another kid in the face during competition.

The moment led Chavez Sr. to push his son towards the ring.

"He didn't understand why he got disqualified, and he thought he did good, so I was like, 'I think boxing will be the sport, let's go try that,'" Chavez Sr. said.

Today, Chavez Sr. says his son's work ethic is something to admire.

"Seeing all the hard work he puts in, him waking up at, earlier than me in the morning 4:45, 5:00 in the morning just to go on his run and go to school, I'm grateful to see the outcome," Chavez Sr. said.

Thanks to his grandfather, Chavez Jr.'s determination likely won't go away until there's a world championship belt around his waist.

"So, he's my number one inspiration. He's the reason why I wake up early in the morning. He's the reason why I'm doing all this," Chavez Jr. said.