DES MOINES, Iowa —

Enrique Uvalle, a professional boxer and two-time Golden Glove champion, founded EMU Azteca Boxing Club on Des Moines' East Side to offer fighters a supportive environment, drawing from his own experiences of overcoming bullying and adversity.

From the outside, you can see the words "Boxing For a Purpose" on the exterior windows. Uvalle says his purpose is to make sure every student who walks through the doors knows they belong there.

"This is their second home," Uvalle said.

Growing up in Laredo, Texas, Uvalle says he dealt with his fair share of bullies. He discovered his strength in defending himself. Uvalle realized he had power not just to stand up for himself, but to make a change. This realization led him to pursue boxing.

"If I was having a bad day, like,

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