Funeral, memorial fund set up for teenage Valley boxer

His promoter said he would have been the next Oscar de la Hoya, but 17-year-old Alexis Urbina will never fulfill his dream to be an Olympian or boxing champion.

Urbina was discovered severely beaten by his mother at their south Phoenix home last week. He later died at a Valley hospital. Police found some items missing, but there were no signs of forced entry, and at this time, the investigation is at a standstill.

“I trained him. We were always together. He was like the son I always wanted,” said Andy Soto, Urbina’s brother-in-law. “While my life is in shambles, I see other people going about their day and I tell myself that I’m going to have to learn to carry on, but I don’t want to… I don’t want to ever forget him.”

On Friday, there will be a public viewing from 5 to 8 p.m. at La Paz Funeral Home — located at 1551 W. Van Buren Street in Phoenix. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at the Knockout Boxing Club starting at 9 a.m. The club is the gym where Urbina spent countless hours training. It’s located at 602 S. 16th Street. Visitors are encouraged to wear white to all services.

A memorial fund has been established to help the family with funeral costs.

“His dad hasn’t worked since the murder. He can’t,” said Soto. “This is a family who lives paycheck to paycheck.”