Submitted photo: 14-year-old Jesus Castillo of Fort Dodge poses with his coach, Ismael ‘Smily’ Cardenas, after Castillo captured a regional title and qualified for the National Silver Gloves Championships.

Jesus Castillo exhibits both the natural talent and physical skills to excel in boxing for years to come.

The 14-year-old isn’t just a prodigious prospect in the Fort Dodge Boxing Club ring based on his ability alone, though.

“He’s a student of the sport,” FDBC coach Ismael “Smily” Cardenas said. “It’s impressive. He’s really dedicated himself and works hard at his craft.

“Jesus is committed to the lifestyle. It goes beyond just his ability. Training. Eating right. Acting right. He really wants it. And if you want it…that’s a coach’s dream. So we’ll just keep working with him and try to turn him into the best boxer and person he can be.”

Castillo qualified for next month’s National Silver Gloves Championships by taking a Region 5 title in Wichita, Kan. last Saturday. The 125-pounder won by unanimous decision in the finals after advancing through the state level in Altoona.

“I’m just trying to do big things, and Coach Smily is helping me get me there,” Castillo said. “He’s willing to put in the work and wants to see me grow. He expects that from all of us.

“He’s putting the time into making us champions, and that’s my mindset.”

Castillo, a freshman at Fort Dodge Senior High, took up boxing at 10 years old. By 12, he was competing in state-sponsored events.

“My uncle first brought me to the Fort Dodge Boxing Club,” Castillo said. “It was something that got my attention right away. Seeing the older guys train and work…it was impressive.”

Castillo immediately gravitated to Felix Cardenas, a fellow FDBC member and three-time Iowa Gold Gloves champion.

“I’ve really looked up to him a lot,” Castillo said. “Just his style, his competitiveness and his toughness. And as a leader (at the FDBC), he’s been very helpful in showing the younger kids how to be better boxers and better people.”

Coach Cardenas has enjoyed seeing Castillo follow in the footsteps of Felix, his son.

“That’s (Jesus’s) role model,” said Cardenas, the 2020 Iowa Golden Gloves Coach of the Year who took over the FDBC seven years ago after the late legend Bud Fair retired. “A lot of the (characteristics) I saw in Felix at an early age, I see in Jesus.

“He’s just a good kid. Stays out of trouble, very polite, and hungry to improve himself. The more time he gets (in the ring at a high level), the better. Going to (National Silver Gloves) will be a great experience for him, both short- and long-term.”

Castillo doesn’t know what the future holds for him in the sport, but he added, “I want to travel to as many places and experience as much as I can” because of it.

“It’s given me some great opportunities already,” Castillo said. “I just want to be as successful as I can be, and maybe someday, turn pro. You never know.”

The National Silver Gloves Championships are Feb. 2-5 in Independence, Mo.