‘We did it.’ Merced boxer, 19, brings WBC world championship belt home from Mexico
After 10 grueling rounds, Jesus “Chiquito” Haro was overcome with emotion. At 19 years old, the Merced native was a world champion.
Haro defeated Francisco “Pulga” Araujo to win the vacant WBC Straw Weight Youth World Championship by split decision on June 4 in Neza, Mexico.
“I was very emotional,” Haro said. “ I put my arms up and yelled, We did it!’”
Haro (12-1) was ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards, 97-94 and 97-95. The other judge had Araujo (8-1) winning 96-95.
“He was your typical Mexican boxer,” Haro said. “He was aggressive, he was a hard hitter, he was very good. It was a very tough fight. I don’t think he ever fought a fighter like me.”
Haro spent two months training in altitude for the championship fight. He spent a month training in Reno and then a month training in Mexico City.
Haro said he didn’t stray from the game plan.
“He tried to get in my head,” Haro said. “He tried to taunt me. He would smile. I just stuck to the plan. I kept my jab in his face and then landed my combinations. Stick and move, that was the plan.”
Haro has been boxing most of his life. He started training when he was 4 years old. He fought his first fight when he was 8 years old. He fought 108 fights as an amateur compiling a 100-8 record. He’s won 23 national titles.
Boxing has taken Haro all over the United States for different tournaments and events. He’s fought and won fights all over Mexico.
Winning a world championship felt different. “It was unreal,” Haro said. “It’s something I always wanted. It’s something I always dreamed about.”
Haro said he had a lot of people supporting him back home.
Haro says he doesn’t know what’s next for him. He’ll wait to see who he will have to defend the title against.
Meanwhile, he was back this week helping train fighters at his father’s gym Haro Bros Boxing. Representing Merced wherever he travels for boxing has always been important for Haro.
“I take pride in where I’m from,” Haro said. “It’s very big to me. I want to be the one to put Merced on the map in boxing.”
This story was originally published June 16, 2022 at 11:30 AM.
