Julio César Chávez occupies a unique place among the greatest athletes in history, and now Sergio Pérez joins this esteemed group. Pérez has made his mark in the world of motorsport, particularly in Formula 1. Chávez, who has known Pérez since he was very young, fondly recalls a memorable encounter they shared.

How Did Julio César Chávez and “Checo” Pérez Meet?

“I haven’t had another chance to chat with him, but I remember meeting Checo when he was just a kid. I’ll never forget that day at the racetrack. I was at an event, and Checo was there. He greeted me and was probably around 15 or 16 years old. He said, ‘Get in my car!’ He was so excited to meet me. So, I hopped in with him, but when he started racing at about 200 or 300 kilometers per hour, I yelled, ‘Slow down! You’re going to kill me!’ I jumped out, super nervous, and thought, ‘I’m never getting back in that thing again! This is insane,’” he recalled with a laugh.

Chávez and “Checo” Pérez Win the National Sports Award

In 2022, CONADE awarded the National Sports Award to Sergio Pérez just before the Mexico Grand Prix. The Mexican driver was the only Latino competing in Formula 1 at the time and had recently won the Monaco and Singapore Grand Prix.

Julio César Chávez was also recognized by CONADE as the premier boxing exponent in Mexico, boasting an impressive record of 107 wins, 87 by knockout, seven losses, and two draws. The “César” was a world champion in three weight divisions: super featherweight, lightweight, and super lightweight.