Champions all? Perhaps one day, but that’s not the top priority for Mr. Lozada, who said he prefers to create “campiones de vida,” or champions of life, and if one of those champions should go on to conquer the ring as well, all the better.

“Very few gyms have world-class fighters that they’re really making that type of money,” Mr. Figueroa said, adding that most of it is volunteer work, especially working with children or young men, who are not charged for their training.

But as children from the neighborhood come there to work out, and usually step into the ring themselves, Mr. Figueroa says that then the government will often take notice and provide some financial assistance.

These smaller boxing clubs begin nurtured by the community, and youngsters with their heart set on the sport. Dedicated coaches organize the space, help procure equipment and even, for example, get all the kids into an old church bus and drive them to local tournaments where they can test themselves against other young competitors.