While the training and sparring have Renee Salinas ready to fight, that's not what's made him strong.

Salinas, a sophomore at Warsaw Community High School, will step into the ring Saturday night in Fort Wayne for a USA Amateur Boxing tournament in the 145-pound welterweight division.

The nights spent running and weight training have helped Salinas transform his body into that of a boxer.

The nights spent 2,000 miles away from his family have challenged and transormed his resolve into that of a champion.

Less than a year ago, Salinas was living in Los Angeles with his mother, Alicia Nunez, and younger brother, Feli Salinas.

Salinas grew up without his father, who Salinas said "just walked out on us." His older brother, Louis, is currently in prison in California.

In order to avoid a similar fate, Salinas moved in with his aunt in Warsaw.

When Salinas arrived to live with his aunt Gloria Nunez and cousin Enrique Nunez last June, Enrique was gearing up for his first amateur bout.

Always a fan of boxing and coming from a family of boxers, Salinas decided to start training with Rick Rivera.

Rivera, who trained Nunez and several local boxers, saw something special in Salinas in his first bout.

"We took his first fight as learning in the ring," said Rivera. "We took it earlier than I wanted to. He lost the fight but what it did was make him train harder and it made him hungrier."

Nunez goes on nightly runs and trains with Rivera several times a week. Nunez has taken to being his cousin's sparring partner.

Salinas' life is now boxing.

"I've just loved boxing since I was a little kid," said Salinas. "I felt depressed when I got here and I wasn't around my family. But boxing has really helped me."

In his second fight, Salinas defeated Anderson's Justin Steen in a close three-round decision during a tournament in Fort Wayne that also featured boxers from Indianapolis and Toledo.

Salinas earned outstanding fighter of the tournament for his improvement from his first to second fight.

"He works the body really well for a young fighter," said Rivera. "And that's what won him his fight. He lost the first round pretty big and didn't turn it around until he started landing body shots."

Like many Latino children who grew up as a boxing fan, Salinas cites Julio Cesar Chavez as one of his favorite boxers. And like many Latino fighters he has an upright boxing style similar to Chavez's.

Ultimately, Salinas wants to follow in Chavez's footsteps and someday turn professional. Salinas is well aware that's a ways off but it still drives him.

"I think everybody's dream is to be a pro," said Salinas.

While the future of Salinas' boxing career is uncertain and he may never turn pro, the experience of training and fighting has helped him stay close to his family.

Salinas' mother and grandfather have watched tapes of his first two fights and are eagerly anticipating the chance to see Salinas' Saturday night fight.

"They're really excited for me," said Salinas of his family in California. "When I talk to them they really want to know how everything is going."

Saturday's tournament will be held at the Old Villagewood Middle School, which is located at 2700 Maple Ave., Fort Wayne. [[In-content Ad]]