Yuma amateur boxer competes in national tournament among nation’s best

Daniel Chavez Jr. made the trip out to Colorado in hopes of continuing his impressive amateur career, and while it didn't go his way he leaves with valuable lessons

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma amateur boxer Daniel Chavez Jr. is back home following a trip to Pueblo, Colorado for the 2025 USA Boxing International Championship.

The tournament brings together some of the best young fighters in the country to compete, with those winning the most fights earning the ability to qualify for the US Olympic team.

The trip did not go as planned however for Chavez Jr., who lost his lone bout to Julian Gavin Medrano via unanimous decision.

"No excuses I lost, it didn’t go the way we wanted it to," Chavez Jr. said.

One adjustment for Chavez Jr. in Pueblo was the size of the ring, which is much bigger than the one he typically spars in at Yuma Fight Academy.

Additionally, the 14-year-old says he prioritized movement within the ring during his training leading up to the tournament, which may have come at a cost.

"My head movement was pretty good but he did outscore me, I wasn’t throwing as many punches as I should have, that was my main flaw," Chavez Jr. said.

Despite the loss, Chavez Jr. says fighting in a new environment was beneficial.

"It’s not something everybody gets to go to, you gotta make it up there to compete in those types of tournaments at a high level, it was really good experience," Chavez Jr. said.

It's a journey which also wouldn't have been possible without his family making the near 14-hour-drive to get to Pueblo.

"I really appreciate that my dad took time out of his day to take me all the way up there, (14) hour drive, just to be in the environment," Chavez Jr. said.

Next up for the young fighter will be a trip to Las Vegas, Nev. in June for the USA Boxing Junior Olympics.