Photographer Darren Vargas has released his first publication, Moretón, a photographic series documenting the Lee Espinoza Coachella Valley Boxing Club in California. The project, which began after the death of his grandfather Esmael in 2020, is available to purchase from Friends Editions.
A Personal Connection
Vargas met Lee Espinoza, the gym's owner and a local figure celebrated as the 'godfather of boxing', in the summer of 2025 through a boxer named Jocelyn Camarillo. He immediately drew parallels between Espinoza and his late grandfather.
'An older man with years on his hands, on his face. I couldn't help but draw similarities. Selfishly. Every wrinkle on his face, his coarse hands, his tan skin, and still finding his purpose at the ripe age of 77,' Vargas said.
More Than Boxing
The gym serves as a hub for a largely immigrant community in a struggling area of southern California. However, Moretón is not a story about boxing itself, but rather about finding a sense of place, self, and ultimately forgiveness. It also captures a life's work with no expectation of anything in return.
Vargas's connection to the area is deeply personal. 'Esmael and Jessie, my grandparents, were born in the Indio desert. My grandfather's mother, Carol Vargas, was Native, and his father immigrated from Morelia, Michoacán. This place does not just hold meaning for me; it holds legacy,' he explained.
Grief and Regret
Reflecting on his grandfather's passing, Vargas shared, 'There was so much I wanted to tell him, but like most of my life, I lived in fear. Fear of not being understood by him, fear of not being who he wanted me to be, fear of disappointing him.'
He also spoke of the weight of family expectations. 'We often live in the shadow of our elders, our parents, our caretakers. The dreams they had. The times they missed. Their mistakes and regrets. Those often fall on our shoulders,' he said.
Espinoza's Legacy
Vargas noted the gym's enduring impact on the community. 'The parents who bring their kids now are like the parents when it opened all those years ago. Lee has had an impact. An impact that isn't reflected on social media or platforms,' he said.
He recounted stories Espinoza shared, including his 14-year-old son defeating a 15-year-old Oscar De La Hoya in the ring, and how De La Hoya stayed at Espinoza's home with his wife and son to train. He also trained Sandra Yard, who became an IFBA Featherweight champion.
A Sense of Home
Walking into the club for the first time, Vargas felt an overwhelming sense of home, reminiscent of visiting an old relative's house. 'The smell, the textures, the feeling. You just sense something comforting,' he said.
The gym is a place where kids from all over the desert come to train, meet pros, and build themselves up. 'To stay out of trouble. To reconcile, and sometimes with themselves,' Vargas added.
Forgiveness and Gratitude
Vargas reflected on his grandfather's actions over words. 'Even after his passing, I look back at his decisions and still learn from them. I did not have the greatest father figure in my life, but he filled that void,' he said.
He admitted to regrets, including not taking his grandfather's last photograph or telling him how much he meant to him. However, he has been learning to forgive himself. 'Lee did the same for me. He allowed me into his house, to spectate and document, and asked for nothing in return. I am grateful and I hope this book can help remind Lee he is appreciated for his life's work,' Vargas concluded.
