Two local boxers set to make their competitive debuts

Training out of Azteca Boxing Club, two young fighters will get a chance to showcase their talents in an amature setting for the first time - 13 On Your Side's Luis Lopez reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Two boxers out of Yuma will be making their amature debuts this weekend.

15-year-old Nathan Mondejar, and 12-year-old Kain Anaya, will be participating in different events.

Nathan will be fighting at 119 pounds in an event out in Phoenix, Ariz. while Kain will be fighting at 125 pounds in Las Vegas, Nev.

Both are relatively new to the sport, as both have been training for about one year.

Nathan was initially introduced to the sport after his friends convinced him to join Azteca Boxing Club.

"I wasn't sure because I was a very lazy kid, at first I didn't like it, it was 120 degree weather, and I was just dying," Nathan said.

However, as he spent more time in the ring, Nathan's abilities began to grow.

"I started to get a little good, and then my confidence started going up," Nathan said.

His coach, Aluc-Tec Galindo says above all, Nathan's resilience has been among his best strengths.

"He's somebody who never quits, like if he gets into a dogfight he's one of the kids that's going to get in there and he's not going to back down," Galindo said.

Meanwhile, Kain will get to take his talents to the boxing capital of the world for the Doc Doherty Boxing Classic.

Kain's dad was the reason he decided to put on the gloves, and like Nathan, his confidence has increased with each training session.

"I think it's going to be my strength a little bit, my footwork to try to get different angles, get some special shots in," Kain said.

Kain's coach, Harry Laffoon, says he sees a clear determination in Kain he doesn't see in other fighters.

"He's training to turn pro, and it's very rare that you find 12-year-olds that train to turn pro," Laffoon said.

Both Nathan and Kain won't go into their fights knowing who they'll face.

Kain's fight, which takes place at 12 p.m., will also be available to stream for free on the USA Masters Boxing website.

If Kain wins on Friday, he'll get another chance to fight on Saturday, July 9.