OBSERVER Photo by Jared Hill Pictured in front is "Pitbull" Jose Hernandez. In middle from left, are professional boxer Ivan Hernandez, Coucilman Marty Bamonta, Mayor Willie Rosas, Elon DeJesus, Councilman Andy Gonzalez and Elon’s father, Nicky DeJesus. In the back is Impact Boxing trainer Nate Jimerson.

Family and friends, along with a few other notable names gathered at the NY Stylez Barber, Boutique & Salon on 404 Central Avenue, Monday, May 8 to welcome back Dunkirk amatuer boxer Elon DeJesus on his return from the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Just being selected to compete in the Tournament of Champions is an honor considering the champions of days-past that includes Joe Louis (1934), Muhammed Ali (1959/1960), Roy Jones Jr. (1986) and Floyd Mayweather (1993/1994) to name a few.

DeJesus has come a long way and was rightfully recognized for it.

DeJesus competed against the best boxers in the country spanning across 30 states, and he and his family traveled over 1,300 miles to represent the city of Dunkirk.

DeJesus competed in the 123-pound bantamweight division and was victorious in round one. Round two was only a couple of days later and though he fought hard, he lost his second bout against Rasheen Brown who would become a finalist and lose to the 2017 Golden Gloves champion — Aaron Morales.

Win or lose, he received a hero’s welcome.

His family, friends and the rest of his Impact Boxing team were joined at the barbershop by City Councilmen Andy Gonzalez and Marty Bamonta along with Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas, all of whom gathered to recognize DeJesus and take pride in just what kind of talent this city has to offer.

Even still, DeJesus is determined to get even better at his craft.

“Pretty big tournament,” began DeJesus. “It was my first time going to the national tournament, so it was overwhelming, but it was a really good experience. You see a lot of different styles … I just learned a lot of ways to get better and me and my teammates just helped each other to get better each day.”

DeJesus (11-5-0, 3 KO) plans to compete in more amatuer tournaments including one in Tennessee that will be held this July. Eventually, his goal is to box professionally along with his Impact Boxing teammate Ivan Hernandez.

“He helps me in the gym and I help him a lot,” explained Hernandez. “We’re just trying to make a name, trying to better ourselves everyday.”

Hernandez is a professional boxer who also hails from Dunkirk. As a type-1 diabetic, he’s faced adversities, but feels he’s hitting his stride as he recently just grabbed his first ever knockout victory as a professional.

“A lot of people tell me maybe I should stop, but as long as I’m healthy I can keep going,” said Hernandez. “This is my first time winning by knockout, so it was good. I’m better. I’ve been taking care of my health a lot better, and as long as I stay healthy I’m going to do better.”

Both DeJesus and Hernandez represent the pride of Dunkirk, and they’ve proved themselves and have trained rigorously to elevate themselves to the level they’re at.

When asked about how far they were willing to go, Hernandez smiled and said, “We’re going to go as far as we can go — until the roof comes off!”

Both men are incredibly humble and know what they’re fighting for.

DeJesus seems real in-tune with what motivates him now and going forward. “I fight for my family,” explained DeJesus. “Anytime I don’t feel like doing it anymore or if I’m down, they just keep me going.”

“Everytime I’m fighting they’re in the corner, and you hear them — I hear them yelling the whole fight, and they just help me keep punching. Really I just fight for my family, my name, the city of Dunkirk; I get a lot of support from everybody out here. So they just help keep me going. It’s a pretty positive thing so that helps.”

The feeling of positivity was vibrant at NY Stylez. Pizza, cake and soft drinks were served and everyone enjoyed the moment. Elon’s mother, Tylah DeJesus, stood in front of Mayor Rosas and company alike and gave a speech expressing the pride she has for her city, and of course, for her son.

By this time next year, DeJesus may be returning again from the Tournament of Champions. Hernandez may have pushed himself even further in his professional career.

In the meantime, both of Hernandez and DeJesus will be pushing themselves, training in the warehouse behind the Big Indian Smokeshop (Irving) known as Impact Boxing, honing their skills and trying to reach new heights.

The pride of Dunkirk has arrived, and they have nowhere to go but up — until the roof comes off.