Punching their way to the future

“It’s my job to keep these little guys in the gym so they won’t end up like me,” says Coach Walt, a recovering addict who emerged from an extended prison stint to provide guidance to Southeast D.C. teens taking part in an afterschool boxing program.

Their stories form the impetus of “They Fight,” a slender but affectingly penetrating documentary by Andrew Renzi, based on the Washington Post article, “It Ain’t All About Boxing,” by Michael Minahan.

While the Lyfe Style Boxing Club affords young, ambitious Quincey Williams and Ragahleak “Peanut” Bartee, who won six national titles before he turned 15, a safe-haven opportunity to pursue their dreams, it also symbolizes a second chance for their coach, a tough but tender father figure whose own son was murdered.

Chronicling their journey to the 2017 Junior Olympics, where Quincey attempts to defend his title and Peanut is intent on avenging his first loss in four years, the film, which will also be airing this weekend adjacent to regional Fox Sports NFL broadcasts, has as much to say about personal conflicts as those taking place in the ring.

Although Renzi’s subjects might not achieve the triumphant results they were aiming for, “They Fight,” produced by Common and energized by an inspirational hip-hop soundtrack, serves as a vital reminder that often the battle can be more important than the inevitable outcome. “They Fight.” Not rated. Running time: 1 hour, 12 minutes. Playing: Laemmle Glendale; also airing on Fox.