EAGAN, Minn. — At Minnesota Top Team Gym in Eagan, Jeremy Clark and Roy Dunlap form the perfect one-two punch.
"I provide the facility, which has always been my dream," said Clark.
Clark owns the gym, while Dunlap serves as one of the facilities coaches.
"He's the one that quarterbacks it, he's the guy. I got nothing to do with it, besides unlocking the door and making sure he has all the equipment and stuff he needs," said Clark.
The duo fit together like a jab cross.
"Just love the atmosphere, the camaraderie is really fun," said Dunlap.
A former boxer himself, Dunlap says it's that camaraderie that keeps bringing him back to the ring. Dunlap will serve as Upper Midwest Golden Gloves boxing head coach for an unprecedented third year in a row.
"It feels great, man. It's nice to know that people recognize the hard work that we've been doing," said Dunlap.
A lot of that hard work has been spent guiding 11-time state champion Eddy Valenzuela.
"I started coaching Eddy when he was a little, chubby kid," said Dunlap.
That little chubby kid has blossomed into one of the top amateur boxers in the state.
"I'm really grateful for Roy, he's been with me since day one, for almost 14 years now," said Valenzuela.
Dunlap will coach Valenzuela once again at the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves tournament.
"I'm just here to bring home that belt, and hopefully go for gold," said Valenzuela.
While also putting Minnesota boxing on the map.
"Everyone laughs a little bit, so I'm just trying to put Minnesota back up there and show them that we got talent too," said Valenzuela.
Valenzuela also has aspirations of turning pro down the road, all thanks to a coach who was in his corner from the the very first bell.
"With Eddy, we want to turn him professional here in the next two years. It's fun to see him progress," said Dunlap.
"Be No. 1 one on TV, slowly, one step at a time going towards it," said Valenzuela.
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