Community Champion: “Poison Ivy” succeeding on national level

She’s known simply as Ivy Enriquez during most of the day.

But once her boxing gloves go on, she becomes “Poison Ivy.”

A fitting nickname for the 12-year-old boxing sensation who continues to find success on the national level.

Earlier this month, Ivy won a national competition in Salt Lake City with the help of her father and trainer, Sergio Enriquez.

“I mean, there’s no words to describe how proud she’s made me,” said Sergio. “Just like she dedicates herself, I dedicate myself to her and put 100-percent into what we’re doing right now.”

But the victory in Utah is far from the first success she’s tasted nationally. In fact, it’s already her fourth such win at a national competition, which makes Ivy’s family very optimistic about the future.

“They’re very happy, excited, and proud of me,” said Ivy. “I’m starting at a young age and hopefully will get good opportunities.”

Ivy says she hopes those opportunities include the Olympics one day. She and her father keep a strict training schedule that could at least give them a shoot in a few years.

“She trains six days out of the week,” said Sergio. “We train at least three to four hours every day.”

And even if she never wins gold, there’s still hope she can inspire a new generation of girls to pursue boxing at all levels.

“It’s not just a guy sport. It’s not a boys sport,” said Sergio. “I hope when they see Ivy and how she’s winning all these tournaments, that it encourages little girls and we get to see more and more compete at a high level or even just start to box.”