SHERMAN, Texas — Two boxers from the Aztec Boxing Gym in Sherman recently competed at the 2026 Golden Gloves Junior National Championship, facing fighters from across the country and internationally.
Greyson “Cash” Emerson and X’Zavian “X” Rey both made the trip to the national tournament, where they faced nationally ranked competitors. which Cash appreciated.
“Being around that tournament and being around those great fighters — you know, there were international fighters, there was this dude from the UK, that was cool to see, there was a guy that is probably going to fight in the Olympics soon, so that was cool to see. There were just a lot of great fighters that were nationally ranked, it was just cool to be around all that talent,” Emerson said.
Results from the national stage
Rey advanced to the semifinals, while Emerson went further — bringing home a national title.
“It was cool. I mean, at first you don’t really feel much, you are just in the moment, but when you sit back and everyone tells you congratulations and they are proud of you, it feels real nice,” Emerson said.
Rey reflected on his teammate’s run and his own experience at the tournament.
“It was a really good experience, seeing him train that hard, and for all of it to pay off, made me happy for him, but I didn’t get it in the bag — it is just all a learning process,” Rey said.
A newer gym on a national stage
The Aztec Boxing Gym entered the tournament as one of the smaller and newer programs in the field.
“There are many gyms in Dallas, and you know it was nationals so we had gyms from all over the nation, so let’s say we were the smallest, newer guys, so not much belief in us, but we made it,” Coach Jimenez said.
Beyond the ring
Coach Jimenez said the impact of Emerson and Rey extends beyond competition. The two fighters participate in beginner classes alongside younger athletes, serving as examples for the next generation.
“They come to the advanced classes but sometimes they will come to the beginners, and they help with the other kids. Even the little kids — they also train little kids, they see them, and I’ll have kids text me and say, ‘eventually I want to be like Cash, or I want to be like X, or I want to be like you,’” Jimenez said.
The fighters spoke about their relationship with their coach.
“He is really a brother, you know, I really love that man, he taught me a lot,” Emerson said.
“I see him as a friend, a coach, a good person. I would say he is the best coach in Sherman, TX, for sure, like without a doubt,” Rey said.
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