Corpus Christi boxing community remembers coach David Baltazar, a father figure to generations
The Corpus Christi boxing community is mourning the loss of David Baltazar, a longtime coach and mentor who spent decades using his gym to give local kids a place to train, learn and stay off the streets. Baltazar died Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the boxing ring. For former boxer and Baltazar’s Boxing Gym coach Jose Jimenez, the gym has been part of his life since…
David Baltazar, a beloved coach and mentor in the Corpus Christi boxing community, passed away on Tuesday, leaving behind a lasting legacy. Baltazar dedicated his life to providing a safe space for local kids to train, learn, and stay off the streets. The impact of his work extended far beyond the boxing ring, as former boxer Jose Jimenez recounted, saying the gym had been a part of his life since 1998.
Jimenez, who grew up just three blocks away, praised Baltazar for always keeping the doors open for anyone who wanted to learn, regardless of the number of children present. Over the years, the gym became a training ground for generations of fighters, including professional boxer Willie Warren, who fought against Marvin Hagler in a 1978 bout at Boston Garden.
For many of those who trained at Baltazar’s Boxing Gym, the gym meant more than just producing fighters. Former coach Gilbert Cabrera described Baltazar as a father figure to the fatherless, and Baltazar’s son David Baltazar III emphasized his father's commitment to giving children a way to stay out of trouble. The coach's generosity extended to providing equipment and gear to any child in need.
Baltazar’s family is confident that the gym he built will continue to serve the community, with the lights staying on and the doors remaining open.
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