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Sergio Chavez, whether by choice or because it鈥檚 simply his nature, always has tended to stay in the background while sharing his knowledge and wisdom with generations of New Mexico boxers.

Thus, when Chavez was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March, he shared that devastating news only with those closest to him.

Gradually, though, given the respect and fondness with which he鈥檚 regarded throughout the combat-sports community, the news began to spread.

Then, recently, Chavez鈥檚 wife, Tammy, in anticipation of her husband鈥檚 upcoming extended and costly stay in the Phoenix area for further treatment.

Jacob Maes, a boxing manager and a close friend of Chavez鈥檚 since they were in elementary school together in Grants, put the word out.

The outpouring of support from the community, Chavez said, has warmed his heart.

鈥淥h, my gosh, it鈥檚 been unbelievable,鈥� Chavez, 63, said in a phone interview. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 even describe it, it鈥檚 been so overwhelming.鈥�

Dozens of fighters with whom Chavez has worked as a trainer and/or cornerman, he said, have reached out: Damacio Page, Ronnie Baca, Matt Griego-Ortega, David Martinez, Amanda Cres-pin, Donald Sanchez, to mention but a few.

Before the cancer diagnosis, Chavez and fellow trainer Manuel Anaya were working with Yoruba Moreu in the development of rising sa国际传媒官网网页入口 boxing prospect Yoruba Moreu Jr.

The young fighter is thriving under the tutelage of Anaya and the elder Moreu, and Chavez is still considered part of the team. Nevertheless, his absence day-to-day has been felt.

鈥淪erge is one of the top coaches, cutmen, in the state,鈥� Moreu Sr. said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 respected by everybody.鈥�

Maes and Chavez, whose friendship began more than a half-century ago, have worked together as manager and trainer with several fighters over the years. Of Chavez, Maes said, 鈥淗e鈥檚 mentored me and made me a better man in more ways than he knows.鈥�

All the support, Chavez said, has helped him remain optimistic through exhausting chemotherapy treatments.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 complain, you know?鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat can I say? Life is short. 鈥� You鈥檝e got to make the best out of it every day.鈥�

The gift of life, Chavez said, is not to taken for granted.

鈥淢y mentality (in the face of cancer) has changed so much,鈥� he said. 鈥溾�� You realize that if you walk out in the middle of the street, somebody could hit you and you鈥檙e done. But something like this 鈥� I still feel like I have so much more to give for the (fighters), for the boxing community, to my family.鈥�

Chavez and his wife have no children. But, he said, 鈥淢y kids were the fighters.鈥�

Throughout his treatment, Maes said, Chavez hasn鈥檛 missed a day of work. He鈥檚 a maintenance supervisor for Jamboree Management, a company that manages several apartment complexes in the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 area.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e been good to me,鈥� Chavez said. 鈥淚鈥檝e gotten a lot of support from them, too. I鈥檝e been with them for 40 years.鈥�

In his youth, Chavez was a tough and skilled amateur boxer. He won a state Golden Gloves title in 1982, earning Most Outstanding Boxer honors. In winning the title, he defeated sa国际传媒官网网页入口 boxers Henry Anaya Jr. and Steve Barreras, both of whom went on to successful pro careers.

Chavez, though, never fought professionally. He focused instead on teaching and support, joining the team of young sa国际传媒官网网页入口 amateur boxer Danny Romero as a cornerman and cutman. He was in Romero鈥檚 corner when 鈥淜id Dynamite鈥� won his first professional world title in 1995.

Later, Maes and Chavez together worked to further the careers of boxers Archie Ray Marquez, Joshua Gomez, Ranee Ganoy and Ronnie Baca.

Maes signed Moreu Jr. to a pro contract in June, knowing Chavez鈥檚 situation but believing he鈥檇 come back. He still believes.

鈥淲hen this first happened,鈥� Maes said, 鈥淚 told him, 鈥楽tatistics are for normal people and you鈥檙e not normal.鈥�

鈥淭his first (session) of chemo, they gave him 12 rounds. And I told him, 鈥楽erge, you鈥檙e getting 12 rounds like a title fight. 鈥� Take it one round at a time.鈥欌��

Chavez is scheduled for treatment at the Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale. He鈥檒l need funds for lodging as well as for treatment.