Church.

Sunlight peers in through holes in the clouds. The thoroughfare is empty. On this Sunday morning, we congregate indoors, bow our heads, and listen to a morning prayer.

In the Church of the Sweetest Scientology.

Joe Zanders, 2012 Olympic Boxing coach and Southern California Silver Gloves Tournament organizer, signals it’s showtime.

The gathering of parents, fans, and teammates take their seats in the neon-lit gym. On this still and quiet January morning, a different weather pattern brews inside. A whirlwind is rolling into a maelstrom of footwork, lightening one’s and two’s, and thunderous showmanship.

Today is my first USA Boxing event. And I’m blessed to witness these adolescent fighters or “boxers,” as I’m educated by tournament organizers, compete for a spot at the Kansas City Silver Gloves finale. Backstage, the 8 to 15-year-old competitors from Honolulu, Denver, Phoenix and more are preparing for their bout. Hitting pads. Pacing. Shadow-boxing. Praying.

Not long ago, another group of family and friends witnessed an unknown 125lb boxer, named Oscar De La Hoya, contend for the same honor.

Years of training squeezed into minutes of performance. In the seconds allotted before the event begins, I ask each young boxer one question:

“What are you going to do when you win?”

Some are startled.

“Jump!”

“Thank God.”

“Yell!”

Others respond with laughter.

“Eat.”

“Head to Denny’s.”

“In-N-Out.”

And another group have an answer before the question was conceived.

“Keep winning.”

“Get back in the gym.”

“Train.”

“Train more.”