The nation’s premier junior boxing event, held this year in Independence, MO from January 30 to February 2, will witness the strength and discipline of Chicago Youth Boxing Club’s very own, Felix Gonzalez, 11. This year’s 20th annual National Silver Gloves Championship, held every February for over 100 boys and girls, ages 10-15, will showcase one of Chicago’s most dedicated youth athletes.

Gonzalez, a member at Chicago Youth Boxing Club (CYBC), has been training for almost three years and hopes to be crowned a national champion for his weight division. CYBC’s Head Coach Gabriel Navarro, a former professional boxer born and raised in Little Village, describes Gonzalez as one of the most dedicated athletes in the gym and the City. “Even though he’s a kid, he acts like a professional. He’s a real good listener; he listens to everything his father coaches him on,” says Navarro.

Felix’s father, Mr. Gonzalez, an amateur boxer since he was a little boy in Puerto Rico, believes that boxing has been an opportunity for him to get closer with his sons, and goes on further to say that he believes Felix is one of the best boxers in the state. “He’s got a big chance at National Silver Gloves this year, it’ll be a great challenge, but I think he can be CYBC’s first National Champion.”

Felix, a 6th grader, has won the Junior Olympics twice, and spends many evenings studying the techniques of other boxers, watching videos and learning from them. Although becoming a future Olympian in boxing is one of his biggest goals, Gonzalez shared that he would like to be Pediatrician when he’s older. Chicago Youth Boxing Club challenges its athletes to perform above levels of mere mediocrity because each and every one of them is capable of personal greatness, through dedication and discipline. To find out more about what CYBC is all about, visit them at www.facebook/CYBCBoxer.com.