Pancho Villa Estevez, 15, is an aspiring boxer from Morelos, one of Mexico City's rougher neighborhoods. He lives at home with his mom, dad, two sisters, and a niece in a small two room apartment. The complex also serves as a punto, used by drug dealers as a base of operations.
Pancho's coach, Jorge Angeles, sees a lot of potential in Pancho and hopes he'll compete in Mexico's golden glove tournament. But Pancho doesn't show up to training regularly and Jorge worries that he'll lose Pancho to the streets.
Pancho's sister Veronica and her daughter at the family's home in Morelos, a Mexico City neighborhood.
Pancho has been boxing for only four months but he's good. He's fought four times against other kids and has won them all.
Pancho readily confesses to not liking school and preferring boxing but his coach insists he do both.
When asked about his neighborhood Pancho's typically cheery demeanor gets becomes more somber. " It's really nasty. They'll kill you for whatever thing. It makes me afraid," he says. "I don't want to die so young, I want to continue living."
Pancho's coach Jorge had to cancel a fight after Pancho missed several training sessions but Angeles is dedicated. "The majority of the kids that I have here have the same problems -- the streets and addiction," says Angeles. "I tell them to come. I'm always eager to get them off the streets."
Exhausted after sparring.
Pancho at home with his family and neighbors.
"I have to work hard and not slack off," he says.. "If I want to fight in the Golden Gloves, I have to leave the bad stuff behind."