ELKHART, Ind. -- The Silver Gloves Tournament rang in Saturday at Elkhart Christian Academy, bringing amateur boxers from six different states to compete. The event is organized by 4B Boxing Club, a local gym that opened after another boxing club closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Head coach Juan Fortoso said the gym began as a way to support his son’s interest in the sport.
"It all started because my son wanted to box when he was seven years old,” said Fortoso. “The boxing club where he used to be, they closed down after Covid, and we decided to open our own gym."
Since then, 4B Boxing Club has built a strong reputation, earning 16 state championships and developing fighters of all ages, including some of the youngest competitors who stepped into the ring early Saturday afternoon.
"I always say boxing, it's discipline, you have to have a lot of discipline to do this sport,” said Fortoso. “They also have to have good grades at school, so they have to qualify to be a part of our team.”
The tournament’s turnout drew attention from fans of the sport across the region, including Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson, who said the event represents a revival of the city’s boxing tradition.
“St. James Boxing for years back was the pinnacle boxing club in Elkhart,” said Roberson. “And when the founders of St. James actually retired, 4B came in and they started to really begin to rebuild the boxing network in the area."
Roberson said boxing provides valuable life lessons for young athletes.
"It's not violent, it's strategic and it's skillful,” said Roberson. “I want to make sure these kids have the opportunity to understand how they elevate themselves beyond boxing, because you won't box all your life, but you take the skills and the discipline that you learn from boxing and it crosses functionally in the rest of your life."
Organizers and local leaders hope events like the Silver Gloves Tournament can become a lasting tradition in Elkhart and continue to highlight the sport’s positive impact on youth.
The Silver Gloves Tournament continues through the weekend. Admission is $25, with matches beginning at 2 p.m.