Some people might not know it but Minot has a long tradition, a love of sorts, for boxing.

Years ago, when the Minot Public Schools Administration Building was the city’s first city armory, all kinds of activities were held there. The events included car shows, political speeches, concerts and, yes, boxing matches, both professional and amateur. Boxing was great entertainment for a small town on the prairie, and bouts were well attended.

Matches have been held at other places in Minot over the years, including the Municipal Auditorium and even some hotels.

With that rich history in mind, it was good to learn in Sunday’s Minot Daily News feature by reporter Allan Blanks that boxing is alive and well in Minot. In fact, it is thriving. Thriving through the hard work of trainers such as Jordan Calavera, and of course the individual efforts of the young boxers themselves.

Locally, people are saying that this year’s team of boxers just might be the best to come out of Minot in many years. That assessment hopefully will spark a bit more self-confidence in the boxers when they go to their big tournament next month.

Calavera and the rest of the Minot Boxing Club will be participating in the 2017 National Silver Gloves Tournament in Independence, Mo., Feb. 1-4.

We wish them all well in their quest for titles. They have worked hard to come so far.

Boxing might not get the attention or respect that it once did, but it’s still a noble sport and offers great lessons for young athletes to learn from.