Standing Eight

This book presents the gritty, moving and inspiring story of IBF Lightweight Champion Jesus El Matador Chavez - the fighter who refused to stay down for the count. At the age of seven, Gabriel Sandoval left the impoverished town of Delicias, Mexico with his parents and younger sister to seek a better life in America. Crossing the border illegally, the family settled in Chicago, where Gabriel learned to speak English - and to box. He also became involved with a street gang, committing an armed robbery as a teenager, which landed him in one of the most violent prisons in America. After a three-year stint he was sent back to Mexico with fifty dollars in his pocket, but within a month he had re-entered the US - again, illegally. Relocating in Austin, Texas, he resumed his boxing career under an assumed name - Jesus El Matador Chavez, and went on to become the Super Featherweight Champion of the world. But Chavez's turbulent story doesn't end there. When applying for a driving licence, a computer check revealed him to be an illegal alien and he was deported back to Mexico, spending a further two-and-a-half years living in his hometown. After a long protracted fight with the US government, with the help of a top immigration lawyer he finally gained American citizenship. In September 2005, Chavez moved up a weight class and won the IBF Lightweight title in a bout against Leavander Johnson, pummelling his opponent for the entire fight until the referee finally stepped in and ended it. After the fight, the almost unimaginable happened: Johnson lapsed into a coma and died several days later. Yet Bill Johnson, the fighter's father and trainer was adamant that Chavez was not to blame and urged him to continue fighting - to be the best champion he could be. Compellingly and compassionately told, Standing Eight is the triumphant tale of a strong-willed fighter whose battled adversity inside and outside the ring to become champion of the world.