Earlier this summer, local boxing siblings, Madelyn Salas, 9, and Josiah Salas, 12, continued their ascensions up the youth boxing ranks after standout performances at their respective tournaments.

Madelyn captured her second national title at the 2025 National Summer Festival, held in mid-June at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, winning both fights by unanimous decision, demonstrating significant growth from the previous year, when she finished in second place.

Earlier this year, Madelyn competed in the prestigious National Silver Gloves Championships, which took place from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Independence, Missouri. She finished the tournament ranked No. 1 in the country in the 70-pound class.

According to USABoxing.com’s Pee Wee rankings updated on July 1, 2025, Salas is currently ranked No. 1 in the 75-pound weight class.

“Honestly, I’ve seen a huge amount of growth with her confidence and work ethic,” her coach and uncle, Pedro Alvarez, said. “She gets locked in and disciplined when it comes time to cut weight. When she’s a month or so out from a fight, you can see it in her demeanor that she is ready to go and show everyone what she’s been working on.

“She only started last year, so now taking her to tournaments and everything, you can see the growth. It’s mostly mental, and she is just driven. The technique has always been there, but when you have the belief and confidence, it’s a game-changer.”

Josiah also fared quite well, bringing back home a bronze medal from the Junior Olympics, also held in mid-June at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As the youngest competitor among the 23 registered in the 13- and 14-year-old division, Josiah managed to win three out of his four matches by unanimous decision before losing a close decision to the gold medal finalist in the semifinals.

This showing came after a long six-month break following the 2024 USA Nationals in Richmond, Virginia, last December, where he was eliminated in the first round of the tournament.

Josiah will look to return to his best and achieve more positive results, aiming to re-enter the USA Boxing rankings in the 85-pound weight class.

“At his last tournament, he was just filling out that age division and bracket,” Pedro said. “So the six months off gave him time to fill out weight-wise and grow as a 12-year-old. He didn’t stop boxing and trained every day just to stay ready. We gave him a bit more freedom after competing at least 30 times in 2024. We didn’t let off the gas aside from competing. He was always excited to get back to training.”

Later this year, both siblings will compete in three more tournaments, including the National Open, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in September, the National Silver Gloves, held in November all over California, and ending with a trip to Missouri, and the National Championships, held in Lubbock, Texas, in December.

“Madelyn is moving up, so hopefully we will take first place in that division,” coach and uncle Eduardo Alvarez said. “Josia will be more than prepared for these tournaments as well, and we are hoping to take first place in all three.”

“I’m hopeful but also more than confident she’ll get first place in the 80-pound,” Pedro said. “Josia will only get stronger as we go, but I’m confident with him as well that he’ll go out there and be dominant at 85 pounds. With his experience and knowledge, he should bring back first place in all of those tournaments.”