Submitted Photo Tommy Roque, left, Walberto Dejesus, back left, Anais Rodriguez, center, Siul Rodriguez, back right, and Chris Rodriguez, right, pose after a recent competition.

The city of Dunkirk is making a name for itself in the world of boxing, not just professionally, but also at the youth level.

In the first competition in approximately a year, the 2XL boxing organization brought three of its young fighters to a USA Boxing competition at Montgomery Neighborhood Center in Rochester last month. All three fighters came home victorious.

“It was a very exciting environment,” said Coach Chris Rodriguez. “I wanted our kids to get more thoroughly trained before I put them through competition. The competitions are rewards for our kids to look forward to.”

Siul Rodriguez won his match at 160 pounds by decision over a fighter from Crystal City Boxing. Walberto Dejesus also defeated a fighter from Crystal City Boxing as he won his fight at 140 pounds via technical knockout, with the referee stopping the contest in second round.

But it wasn’t just the boys that got their hand raised at the end of their fight.

Anais Rodriguez responded to a heavy shot early in the match and battled back to finish her opponent in the first round via technical knockout. Her victory came over a Rochester Boxing Club fighter in the 85-pound weight class.

“Training her has been very emotional,” said Chris Rodriguez. “She persevered. She fought back and used everything we taught her. That was a very proud moment, after continuously training her for about a year now.”

Chris Rodriguez — of no relation — coaches Anais and Siul Rodriguez, who are siblings, as well as Walberto Dejesus and various other youth fighters across multiple age groups. He is assisted by other coaches including Bill Malinowski, Raul Rosado, Eddie Torres, and Tommy Roque, who specializes in training the advanced fighters.

“Training boys and girls is very different, but with everyone, I try to teach them to find peace in the middle of chaos,” Chris Rodriguez said. “I try to teach them the Three Ps – Protect, Provide, Produce. … We teach them to be protectors, not bullies.”

Saturday’s results showed Chris Rodriguez the success will come from the foundation he and his fellow coaches have set.

“We’re trying to instill great values in them, not just boxing skills,” Rodriguez said. “We want to create these core lifetime memories they will remember 20 years from now.”