Ahmed Santos, former boxing champ inspires Latinos

By Diana Prieto-Bernal

Ahmed Santos Arce is a 38-year-old, Boxing star born in Los Mochis, Sinaloa; he spends time between Phoenix and his hometown. Although his first name sounds Middle Eastern, Ahmed says his father chose that name randomly, and his family has no ties to that region.

 “I’m 100 percent Mexican,” he says proudly.

He says his boxing career actually began when he was 14, when he saw his first boxing match and fell in love with the sport.  “I saw one man boxing in the ring, and I knew right way that boxing was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” he says.

 Who was his early inspiration – none other than Julio Cesar Chavez, one of the great champions of Mexico.  Ahmed says later in life he had the honor of helping Julio promote a restaurant he opened in Mesa.

The young man from Los Mochis fought amateur fights until he was 18. By age 23 Ahmed was a winning professional, and won the title of Super Lightweight world champion of the International Boxing Association at 140 pounds. He had always planned to retire early, he adds, and did so at age 27. “Boxing is a short career due to the violent nature,” he says. “You can get hurt if you stay in it for many years.” 

At this point in his life, Ahmed is single. As to the “love of his life,” he says “Si llega, llega.” Asked if he had any regrets in his life, he responded that “I will never have any ‘ifs’ or ‘buts.’ I’m happy with my accomplishments.” 

The former pro boxer says that the next stage in his life will probably involve more boxing journalism. He has been a boxing columnist for newspapers and magazines in Mexico and the U.S., he adds, currently covering boxing events for Univision and Telefutura networks. 

The advice he shares with other Latinos is, “If you have a dream, don’t dream it, go for it and get it. If I did it you can too.” 

In order to make the dream come true, Latinos have to: Fear no obstacles; don’t fear success; don’t worry about what other people think and say about you; and, don’t be jealous of each other. These are the things that keep people from succeeding, he says. 

Ahmed closed the interview by saying: “You have to work as a team if you want to succeed! Dreams do come true.”

                                                     Julio Cesar Chavez  with Ahmend Santos