SOCORRO, Texas — A series of amateur boxing meetups in public parks across Socorro and nearby El Paso is stirring debate after viral social media videos caught the attention of city officials. What organizers say is a harmless way to relieve stress local leaders are calling unsafe and inappropriate for family-friendly spaces.
The group led by organizer Timmy Gar has been gathering at various parks with little more than yellow caution tape and a couple of pairs of gloves. Gar says the goal is simple: create a space where adults can practice boxing, stay active and blow off steam after long workdays.
“The purpose of these fights is to release the stress,” Gar said. “Some of them have hard jobs…construction, welders, everything. We just wanted to release the stress.”
Gar and his friends say the events are not underground fight clubs. There is no betting, no entry fees and no prizes — just sparring sessions open to anyone who wants to participate. As the videos spread online, more people began showing up, including newcomer David Hernandez, who says the environment was welcoming.
“They were very kind,” Hernandez said. “I signed in, had a really good fight, and I excelled.”
But the visibility also brought scrutiny.
The Socorro Police Department declined to speak on camera but issued a statement saying the city — located 20 minutes southeast of El Paso — will not tolerate “unsafe, hostile, or violent activities” in public parks or on city property. Officials say the boxing meetups set a poor example for young people and could lead to injuries or unsafe situations for bystanders.
Gar disagrees, calling the city’s stance disappointing.
“Telling us that we are a threat, when these are 18-year-old men who just want to spar. … Nobody is going to be seriously hurt,” he said.
Since the city publicly urged residents to report the meetups, the group has temporarily moved its events to private properties. Still, they say their goal is to return to public parks, insisting their activities are no different from friends meeting to play soccer, football or basketball.
“We will gather at parks like any other sport,” Gar said. “Sparring sessions of boxing — it’s still a sport.”
For now, the future of these informal boxing matches remains unclear. City leaders stand firm on keeping them out of public spaces, while the fighters say they’ll continue pushing for a return to the parks where the movement began.