Submitted photo Fort Dodge Boxing Club manager Ismael Cardenas (back row, second from left) poses with members of the local organization.

Ismael Cardenas has been around boxing his entire life, so when he saw an opportunity to be in the corner with his kids, he jumped at the chance.

With a grin always on his face, the man friends and family affectionately call “Smiley” took over the Fort Dodge Boxing Club in 2015.

Cardenas was always helping in the gym before, assisting legendary Bud Fehr while his three kids were training in the gym for the Fort Dodge Boxing Club.

“My kids and Bud Fehr – rest his soul — wanted me to come and help,” Cardenas said. “Bud was getting older and wasn’t able to do quite as much, so I keep coming in. When it got to be too much for him, I took over.”

Cardenas learned a lot in his early days with the Fort Dodge Boxing Club, picking up everything he could learn from Fehr.

“He (Fehr) always said, ‘dedicate yourself to something and stick with it,”’ Cardenas said. “He really helped me and showed me a lot of tricks of the trade.

“I went to other clubs with him and learned what to expect.”

All of his hard work and dedication through the years recently landed Cardenas Iowa Golden Gloves Coach of the Year honors.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated,” Cardenas said. “I was just happy to be there with some really good coaches from Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque and Waterloo. I was just excited and didn’t even care if I won.

“I was happy to be nominated, and was shocked to see that it was a unanimous decision.”

While he was growing up, Cardenas watched his brothers, uncles and grandfather box. They all learned from his father while being raised in Texas.

Cardenas passed on the love of the sport to his three sons. Cardenas doesn’t get to just hear about his sons work in the ring, he gets to help build their repertoire right beside them.

“It’s a dream come true, having your own kids corner. It’s hard to put into words,” Cardenas said. “When I’ve seen my guys win a state championship, it’s unbelievable. I have a kid, Ramior Calles, who is one of the top guys in the nation. He is really good and will be solid at Golden Gloves.

“It gives me goose bumps. It’s so satisfying for a kid to do that.”

Cardenas’ children — Ismael Jr. (23), Felix (21) and Dominic (17) — have all had success in the ring. Cardenas also has a daughter, Kimberly, who is 25.

Ismael Jr. was a state novice champion in 2013 and a runner-up in 2014. Felix is a three-time state champion and has been to nationals three times, falling just short of a title. Dominic hasn’t boxed as much as his brothers.

“They’ve all had their own successes, but more importantly, they’ve been there for each other,” Cardenas said. “Ismael pretty much set the tempo for the rest of the kids. Felix has done well at nationals.

“Dominic hasn’t boxed as much, but he helps me a lot. He is kind of like my assistant.”

Right now, there are 15 kids in the Fort Dodge Boxing Club. They are preparing for a busy two months ahead.

“It is a privilege to represent Fort Dodge and carry on Bud’s legacy,” Cardenas said. “When Fort Dodge is coming to shows, they know we mean business and that our kids are respectful. We’re humble when we go in there and do work.

“I was pleased and honored to be named coach of the year. I’m just enjoying life with the kids. God is good.”