Boxing Firefighter–Mathew Jojola

Socorro firefighter Mathew Jojola will be boxing in the Battle of Blue versus Red on Saturday, Jan. 24. This event is Classic’s first annual bash and will take place at the Encanto Event Center in Roswell, with the doors opening at 6 p.m. and the first bout at 7:30 p.m. Jojola will be facing off against a police officer from Roswell in what will be Jojola’s first boxing match.

Jojola is just beginning his journey with boxing. Fire Captain Humberto Lucero Jr. reached out to Socorro firefighters to see if anyone would be willing to enter this fight. Jojola agreed and began training with Humberto Lucero Sr.

“I just actually started training a [few] weeks ago when this event came up. The person training me, Humberto Lucero Sr., said he's looking at somebody to train. I've always wanted to kind of learn. So what a good opportunity to learn from a guy like [Humberto],” Jojola said. 

Jojola has also been training with the King of Kings Golden Gloves Boxing Club at their gym in Socorro. He received a warm welcome and has sparred with club coach William Griego. Jojola said that he has learned a lot already from boxing and sees relevance to his own line of work.

“The mental part, making myself do the extra work, the extra running, the physicality. You know, it's been a while since I've been here, so it's kind of cool,” Jojola said. “I want to be able to expand myself and keep growing as an individual and keep being more disciplined and honing in on my skills. So I think this is just another step for me to do that for the firefighting side.”

Jojola is a Socorro local, born and raised, who has spent most of his life here. After a little bit of time out of state and in Albuquerque, he returned to his home town. The 30-year-old Jojola has been a Socorro firefighter for seven and a half years now, and has been lieutenant for two years. 

“Being able to help people in their time of need. I think just being there, a positive impact on somebody, sometimes in the worst time of their lives, and just being able to help people and make a difference.” Jojola said about his favorite part of his job.

Jojola believes that boxing can be good for everybody, especially the youth.

“It just builds discipline and character and morals control, especially this little town, we need stuff like that. Like, it's awesome to see them guys putting on that and trying to get a bigger gym and stuff going. You don't see that anymore. Socorro, it used to be a lot more. We even had, like, a Boys and Girls Club back in the day,” Jojola said.

For those interested in learning more about boxing or just training more, Jojola highly recommends his current trainer. 

“He's one of the local legends here from as far as the boxing community goes. He used to train a lot of guys, and I think he wants to get back into it as well. Let me or Humberto Lucero know. Reach out, because I know he is willing and able to do so, and I think he wants to reach out to the community more.” Jojola said.

As Jojola prepares for his boxing match, he finds support and inspiration from his family and his faith.

“Romans 12:2 is my favorite verse. ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.’ And with everything going on in our lives and in the world, let us not forget that our relationship with God trumps all,” Jojola said.