Chicago Youth Boxing Club

Small Gym, Big Impact: CYBC makes headlines in Lawndale News!

2011-09-15T18:11:00.000-05:00

Small Gym, Big Impact: Chicago Youth Boxing Finalist at Beyond Sport Summit in South Africa

Posted by Editor on September 8, 2011 in Local News | Comments Off

By: Carlos Acevedo

Among the Little Village community, where you often hear about drugs, shootings, and stabbings, sits a small non-profit organization that not many hear or read about, the Chicago Youth Boxing Club (CYBC). If you walk into the CYBC, located at 2300 S. Millard Street, you immediately notice kids jumping rope, punching the heavy bags, working the speed bag and sparring with the coach inside the ring. “Coaches at CYBC volunteer at least 25 hours a week, they don’t get paid, but we all want to be there for our youth and better our community. The parents are always involved and help us when something breaks…we are like a small family,” said Head Coach Gabriel Navarro. So how is this small gym making an impact?

H20 Project
In 2009, CYBC Board President, Karen May said that they received a grant from the MacArthur Foundation through their International Connections Fund. The grant was used for their H20 for Mexico project, which engaged youth in leadership and peace-building efforts that encourage water conservation, bring awareness to water scarcity and build multi-cultural and multi-ethnic international cooperation in addressing water shortages.

The H20 for Mexico project took 12 kids from the Little Village community to Tamaula, a rural town in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico that sits atop of an extinct volcano. CYBC reached out to the youth in Tamaula and educated them on fitness, nutrition and did sparring exhibitions. CYBC Head Coach, Gabriel Navarro remembers how the kids from Tamaula would show up to train in jeans, long sleeve shirts and dress shoes.

“They didn’t have exercise clothes and they would even play soccer in dress shoes. They would tell me that dress shoes are better than being barefoot because there are a lot of rocks. My role was to teach the kids basic boxing and find one kid to take over the program and make him a leader, and he’s still in charge of the program which has been in place for two years already,” said Navarro. During their stay, the CYBC assisted in setting up a gym with heavy bags and speed bags for the community.

“At the end of the trip we found out about the United Nations World Water Day campaign, so we thought about doing a campaign around that to raise money,” said May. Fundraising efforts raised over $10,500 that supported the construction of 35 household level cisterns. The cisterns help families in Tamaula catch rainwater for drinking and cooking. One rainfall will fill a cistern with 5,000 liters and provide water for two weeks. This campaign had donor support from France, Mexico and the United States. Locally, Erie Neighborhood House, Poder Learning Center, The University of Notre Dame and Utah Valley University also assisted in the success of this project.

Beyond Sports Awards 2011
“We applied for the Sport for the Environment Award and out of 40 applications in our category, we were selected among the Top 3 finalist,” said May. CYBC will find out if they win the first place award at the Beyond Sport Summit, which will take place in Cape Town, South Africa on December 5-8, 2011. “What we need really is for people to know who we are. We always invite people to come visit the gym anytime, see who we are and talk to the kids. People will find that they are really, really good kids,” said May.

CYBC Future
May said the CYBC will have their first statewide tournament in October 14th and 15th. “Power Gloves is a fundraiser for us and we will have eight weight classes, twenty to thirty boxers and we are looking for sponsorships for belts and the overall tournament, but mostly just to come out hear from our kids and see what they do,” said May. “I see this gym being as big as Windy City Gym was, in about ten to fifteen years just because of Karen and all the board members, they are very smart people… a lot of good things are happening,” said Navarro. Navarro said he recently got a call from a boxing organization in Ireland who wants to sponsor a CYBC team of fighters to travel and train with them. For more information on upcoming events, please call: 773-521-9555 or stop by anytime between 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.
CYBC Wish List

Gloves (Title or Ringside)
Heavy bag and Speed bags
Mats
Treadmills
Your time and donations

CYBC Beyond Sport Nomination

2011-08-09T19:05:00.022-05:00

En español

Read what Beyond Sport has to say

Athletes are keenly aware of the value of adequate drinking water in achieving their physical goals. Immigrants from rural communities in Mexico know that water, or the lack thereof, plays a central role in determining the viability of their communities of origin. CYBC is an organization that serves both athletes and immigrants. Read more...

Read what World Boxing Council has to say about CYBC.

CHICAGO YOUTH BOXING CLUB Named Among Three World-Wide

Finalists by BEYOND SPORT For The Sport For The Environment Award

CYBC receives international recognition for its H20 for Mexico project that engages

Chicago youth in leadership activities to develop water resources in rural Mexico

For Immediate Release

Chicago, August 4, 2011—Beyond Sport, the London-based global organization that promotes, develops and

supports the use of sport to drive positive social change across the world, has announced that Chicago Youth

Boxing Club (CYBC) has been included on the prestigious Shortlist for the Beyond Sport Awards 2011. By

reaching this stage of the judging process, CYBC will travel to attend the third annual Beyond Sport Summit,

taking place December 5th through 8th in Cape Town, South Africa. The Summit will be attended by

multinational corporations, representatives from professional sports franchises, Olympic and professional

athletes, and international civic and political leaders.

Clases de boxeo motivan a jóvenes de La Villita

2011-06-27T01:36:00.001-05:00

El Chicago Youth Boxing Club (CYBC, por sus siglas en inglés) está ubicado en el sótano de la iglesia Little Village Community Church.

Por Carolina Cruz/La Raza | 2011-06-24 | La Raza

Chicago. - A simple vista nadie imaginaría lo que pasa adentro de un edificio en la calle Millard. Lo que para muchos es visto como un templo donde demostrar su fe, para otros es un lugar donde pelear para demostrar su potencial.

Se trata del Chicago Youth Boxing Club (CYBC, por sus siglas en inglés), ubicado en el sótano de la iglesia Little Village Community Church.

Allí encontramos a Violeta Hernández, de 17 años, quien lleva alrededor de tres entrenando como boxeadora aficionada o ‘amateur’.

“Durante una pelea sí fue muy difícil para mí, porque no estaba en condiciones de pelear porque había estado enferma y no había venido a entrenar. Pero la gané y eso me enseñó que no me tengo que dar por vencida porque uno nunca sabe lo que vaya a pasar”, dijo Hernández.

El CYBC tiene como misión proporcionar a los jóvenes una alternativa sana a la violencia y las drogas, y ayudarles a construir las destrezas necesarias para lograr un futuro positivo para ellos y su comunidad.

William Rodríguez, alias “Chupi”, ha sido entrenador por cuatro años en el CYBC. Antes era entrenador en el gimnasio Windy City, conocido como uno de los más históricos de la ciudad de Chicago. Allí “Chupi” obtuvo la mayoría de su experiencia trabajando profesionalmente con varios boxeadores.

“Este es un gimnasio y de aquí salimos boxeadores”, dijo.

El pasado mes de mayo, cinco jóvenes boxeadores asistieron a una competencia en Rockford y quedaron campeones y próximamente algunos de los muchachos competirán en Michigan a competir, dijo Víctor Rodríguez, pastor de la iglesia Little Village Community Church.

Asimismo, el 18 de junio pasado se celebró la Fiesta de Boxeo, un festival al aire libre donde hubo exhibiciones y demostraciones de boxeo. La intención era mostrar la energía física y la creatividad de la juventud, destacando su papel como una fuerza positiva en la comunidad.

LOS COMIENZOS

Luis Gutiérrez, quien forma parte de la junta directiva de CYBC, indicó que el gimnasio empezó en el 2001 con una idea algo diferente a la cual se tiene ahora.

La idea era recaudar fondos para que los jóvenes pudieran entrar a torneos de boxeo; pero con el tiempo este gimnasio se ha convertido en una forma de ayudar a la comunidad y mantener a los jóvenes fuera de las calles, dijo Gutiérrez.

El pastor Víctor Rodríguez contó que en el 2007 movieron el gimnasio al sótano de la iglesia.

“Cuando me hablaron de la idea para mí fue algo muy bueno. Sí fue un poco difícil convencer a la iglesia de tener un club de boxeo; pero cuando les expliqué lo que era, la mayoría de las personas estuvieron de acuerdo”, dijo el religioso.

En el CYBC se ofrece entrenamiento para niños, jóvenes, adultos y mujeres desde los ocho años de edad en adelante. También se ofrecen clases de artes marciales y durante el verano habrá un programa entre semana diseñado para entrenar a los jóvenes en este deporte.

La membresía de este gimnasio es de $15 al mes para jóvenes menores de 17 años y de $30 al mes para adultos. Para más información llame al (773) 521-9555.

Fiesta del Boxeo 2011

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Join the Chicago Youth Boxing Club (CYBC) on Saturday, June 18th for Fiesta del Boxeo. Fiesta del Boxeo is a street festival in front of the CYBC gym between Millard and Lawndale on 23rd Street. The closest intersection is Cermak and Central Park. We will have sparring exhibitions, boxing demonstrations, fitness activities, and contests. We will also have several DJ's, hip-hop artists, and a live band. It will be a fun, family-friendly, alcohol-free event. The intention is to showcase the physical energy and creativity of youth, highlighting their role as a positive force in the community.

Our mission is to provide youth with a healthy alternative to gang violence and drug activity, while helping them build the skills and determination necessary to realize a positive future for themselves and their community. We are open from 3:00pm to 8:00pm Monday-Friday and provide over 6,000 hours per year of coaching formulated on caring, personal relationships, and positive development.

All donations are tax-deductible. This event is fully under-written. All proceeds will go directly to supporting the programs and activities of CYBC. If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, you can mail your donation to Chicago Youth Boxing Club, 2300 S. Millard, Chicago, IL 60623.

Featuring live music and dance performances by:

::1:00 pm – 4:00pm::

DJ Jay square [LIFT Ent]

Dubz Mckenzie [Illegal Cargo Recordings | Soul Shift Music]

Struggle Academy [B natural records]

Handsome Oz & MAD [Fearless radio]

Source 1 [Basement Inc]

::4:00 pm – 6:00pm::

Eddie V [SECS Events]

Shie

Ed 9 [Basement Inc | Bnatural Records]

Eddie X

::6:30 pm – 9:00pm::

Azteca 500 and Hekter [500 & Growing]

Kid Enigma [B natural Records]

Chicago's very own Mathien

For more info contact: Office: 773.521.9555 | info@chicagoyouthboxingclub.org

RSVP on facebook

CYBC thanks Windy City Rollers for their support

2011-03-22T12:42:00.011-05:00

Please come see Windy City Rollers, Saturday April 9th. CYBC will be featured as their community partner.

The Fury V. Double Crossers and Manic Attackers V. Hell's Belles

UIC Pavilion | Chicago, IL

Sat, Apr 9, 2011 06:00 PM

Tickets start at $20 (+ fees and taxes)

Promesas Juveniles

2011-02-15T11:53:00.004-06:00

CHICAGO YOUTH BOXING CLUB WINS ILLINOIS SILVER GLOVES BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP

2010-10-01T10:42:00.007-05:00

(From left): Ramon Martinez (15), Raul "Flaco" Alcala (12), Juan "Pelon" Guerra (14)

CHICAGO, January 3, 2011—Two high school students from the Little Village community continue their training throughout the Christmas holiday as they prepare to represent Chicago Youth Boxing Club (CYBC) in the Silver Gloves Regional Boxing Tournament on January 14^th – 16^th, 2011 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

CYBC members Raul Alcala (age 12), Juan Guerra (age 14), and Ramon Martinez (age 15) each won the Illinois State Silver Gloves Championship Title, competing along with 100 youth boxers ages 8-15 at the Silver Gloves Competition in Rockford, Illinois on December 11^th, 2010. Juan Guerra and Ramon Martinez, both students at Farragut Career Academy, will compete for the regional title in January.

Guerra and Martinez will be accompanied to the Silver Gloves Regional Competition by CYBC coaches Gabriel Navarro and William “Chupi” Rodriguez. Navarro, CYBC’s Head Boxing Coach, also lives in Little Village and graduated from Farragut Career Academy (’99) where he participated on the wrestling, football, and baseball teams. Having grown up in Little Village himself, Navarro can attest to the dangers youth face in the neighborhood and to the positive impact that CYBC is having on keeping them focused on building their future.

CYBC invites businesses, churches, schools, residents, and other community-based organizations to show their support for CYBC youth athletes like Guerra and Martinez by attending a Gym Open House/Meet and Greet the Athletes on Friday, January 7^th, 2011 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. You will have an opportunity to meet all three CYBC Illinois Silver Gloves Champions, talk to them about their goals, and witness their talents in the ring. Donations are welcome and will help support travel expenses and entry fees for the regional tournament. Local support will demonstrate a commitment to youth in the Little Village community and help encourage them to focus on discipline and determination as the means to attaining their goals.

CYBC GYM HOURS: MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 2:00pm-8:00pm

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2010-09-10T13:37:00.006-05:00

MEMBERSHIP PRICING

ADULT $30.00 MONTHLY (Boxing)

YOUTH $15.00 MONTHLY (Boxing)

$30.00 (All members) One Time Yearly Registration Fee

**PLEASE NOTE**

THE CYBC HAS 4 COACHES & JR. COACHES AVAILABLE FOR TRAINING ALL MEMBERS AND THE DO THE BEST TO POSSIBLY GIVE MEMBERS SOME GUIDANCE AND TRAINING, BUT IF YOU PREFER, WE ALSO HAVE PRIVATE 1 ON 1 LESSONS AVAILABLE AT DIFFERENT PRICING RATES. PLEASE CALL THE GYM 773-521-9555 FOR MORE DETAILS

The CYBC 3rd Year Anniversary!

2009-10-19T20:32:00.024-05:00

CYBC Boxing Show Plus Dinner Banquet Fundraiser

Saturday November 6, 2010

4:00pm

Address: 2300 S. Millard

Sponsorships Available Please Call Rob at 773-383-0166

Ticket prices are:

$25.00 Per Person

$15.00 For Students

Free for children under age 5

Come out to support the CYBC celebrate it's third anniversary of the gym opening! It has been amazing to see the impact of the organization in this time. The space that CYBC provides to develop both mentally and physically is really making a meaningful difference in the lives of these youth. In our three short years we have already seen many successes:

Growth from volunteer to paid coaching staff

60 youth members average per month, both young men and women

15 adult members average per month, both men and women

Boxers who have competed at the Citywide finals, Junior Olympics, and the Golden Gloves Finals

Mentorship and internship opportunities

International trip to Tamaula, Mexico to help start a boxing gym

CYBC IN THE NEWS

2009-09-29T17:29:00.025-05:00

Focus of the Week

EXTRA HAS MOVED TO A WEEKEND PUBLICATION.
LOOK FOR US ON FRIDAYS!

Boxing Club Keeps Kids Out of Trouble

The Chicago Youth Boxing Club, located in Little Village Community Church, has provided a place for young people to learn boxing and martial arts instead of partaking in gang violence. Some youths from the club have even participated in state competitions.

>> Check out photos of the CYBC on our Facebook page.

CYBC Boxers in Junior Olympics

2009-05-12T19:55:00.016-05:00

Several CYBC boxers fought in the Junior Olympic bouts held at Kankakee Community Resource Center over the May 2nd-3rd weekend and as you can see did quite well!

Champions:

Mario Guerra 75 lbs

Lizeth Hernandez 65 lbs

Fredeick Dennis 132 lbs

Juan Guerra 115 lbs

- also received Fighter of the Night Award

Violent Hernandez 114 lbs

Juan Carlos Arroyo 132 lbs

- also received Fighter of the Night Award

Ramon Martinez 145

2nd place:

Chris Pierce 125 lbs

Romario Mendez 110 lbs

Carlos Sanchez 145 lbs

Lucio Perez 155 lbs

Congratulations to everyone that participated, once again you have made us all proud of your hard work and the commitment and heart of the Chicago Youth Boxing Club.

Ricardo Chavez advances to Golden Gloves Finals

2009-04-13T19:29:00.006-05:00

Ricardo Chavez will advance to the Championship Finals for the 2009 Golden Gloves in the heavyweight novice division at St. Andrews Auditorium (Paulina & Addison) this Saturday, April 18th! Visit www.chicagogoldengloves.com for event information, to purchase tickets, and to get connected to online golden gloves action.

Chicago Park District Citywide Championships

2009-04-13T19:15:00.007-05:00

Very proud to announce that CYBC boxers took 11 of 14 Championship matches at Chicago Park District's Citywide Finals and 3 Second Place finishers! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Violet Hernandez 15 (Champion)
Romario Mendez 13 (2nd Place)
Frederick Dennis 13 (Champion)
Jimmy Quitter 13 (Champion)
Juan Guerra 13 (Champion)
Richard Bahena 15 (Champion)
Juan Arroyo 15 (Champion)
Yasmine Arroyo 10 (Champion)
Karen Guadarama 13 (2nd Place)
Rodolfo Avila 13 (Champion)
Ulysses Hernandez 16 (Champion)
Joshua Estrada 15 (2nd Place)
Edgar Medina 17 (Champion)
Stephanie Cruz 13 (Champion)

A few words from Rob Ramos, Executive Director and founder of CYBC:
They all boxed their hearts out and I was there to witness every last bout. Needless to say, I was pumped with excitement and am very proud of what the CYBC organization has accomplished! On behalf of the CYBC Executive Board, I would like to congratulate all the CYBC coaches and staff for their great work. They have all accomplished so much within the past year, for they are the heart and soul of our community gym. This would not have been accomplished without their coming together as a team, by instilling discipline and work ethic.

Ricardo Chavez advances to Semi-Finals

2009-03-30T16:35:00.005-05:00

Ricardo Chavez will be advancing to the Semi-Final round for the 2009 Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament! His next bout is scheduled for Friday, April 3rd. From the staff, board, and club members - we wish you the best of luck!!

CYBC Boxers in Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament

2009-03-24T18:38:00.004-05:00

Good luck to Soto, Chavez, Ochoa, Jimenez - Chicago Youth Boxing Club members competing in the Golden Gloves Tournament!
Preliminary bouts began this past week, two CYBC fighters competed and won their first bouts on Thursday and Friday. Adrian Soto and Ricardo Chavez will be advancing to the next round, dates still to be announced. Our other two fighters got their fights pushed back to this week. On Thursday Hector Ochoa will be competing, and Roger Jimenez will be competing this Friday. All bouts are held at the historic St. Andrews Auditorium, located at 1658 West Addison (at Paulina) Chicago, IL. For tournament information, visit: www.chicagogoldengloves.com

Membership

2009-01-15T23:20:00.002-06:00

Youth Memberships: $15/month

Adult Memberships: $35/month

Special adult rates:

Saturday program - $40/2 months

New member rate - $65/3 months

To set up personal training or one-on-one coaching, please call the gym office at 773-521-9555.

*All members of Chicago Youth Boxing Club must be covered for liability insurance through USA Boxing, which is an annual fee of $35.00

About CYBC

2008-12-10T02:56:00.010-06:00

In many Chicago neighborhoods, there are inner-city youth that lack positive role models. Several of these youth are being raised in dangerous neighborhoods influenced by gangs, and do not enjoy the benefit of having youth organizations available to guide them. Growing up in this negative, life-threatening environment can cause them to possess an adverse outlook on life and fall prey to the dangers of the street. These youth need a positive direction in which they can expend their energy. They can release that energy towards a positive outlet by competing in coed sports programs, such as organized amateur boxing.

The Chicago Youth Boxing Club "CYBC" encourages participation in a competitive boxing atmosphere. This type of environment enables our youth to understand the value of good sportsmanship, team unity, and self-respect, instead of having them accept the negative alternatives of joining gangs, doing drugs, and ending up in prison.

The CYBC was established on December 4, 2001 and moved into their home at 2300 S. Millard in the Fall of 2007. CYBC is a not-for-profit organization that is located near the border of Chicago's Little Village and North Lawndale communities. This organization is aimed at emphasizing the importance of academics and physical fitness to our inner-city youth. CYBC is sincerely interested in associating with other not-for-profit agencies and potential collaborations, private organizations, the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois as well as national programs.

CYBC receives our funding through fund-raisers and monetary donations, both private and public through grants. These funds are used to subsidize the cost of youth memberships, the purchase of gym maintenance and equipment, protective gear, uniforms, travel to tournaments, as well as paying for coaching staff. The CYBC participates in many championship boxing tournaments, which include Jr. Olympics, PAL, Silver, and Golden Gloves tournaments.

Once our young competitors reach the U.S. amateur championship boxing tournament level, some amateur boxing organizations may provide college scholarships to them. These scholarships are available mainly to young men and women who have displayed notable academic achievements, as well as intense boxing talent. Rudy Cisneros and Frankie TaFoya are prime examples of the type of accomplishments that organized amateur boxing programs can generate. They were involved in the Chicago Park District boxing program and went on to enroll in a college boxing scholarship program at Northern Michigan University under the guidance of NMU Sports Program Director, Edward Yun.

"Not only can the Chicago Youth Boxing Club provide a recreational haven for our youth by promoting amateur team boxing, it can also assist those kids who maintain excellent academic grades, and posses immense boxing skills, by supporting them to obtain an education. CYBC would like to assist in improving the quality of life for our youth, through college boxing scholarships. With your donations we can help provide young men and women with a valuable college education, and in the process, hopefully mold a few U.S.A. Boxing Team Olympians with the dream of bringing home a gold medal." Robert Ramos, CYBC Board Chairman

Fernando Hernandez Jr. is an 8th grader who resides on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Fernando is one of the CYBC Champions. "I enjoy competing in amateur boxing events because I get to travel and visit many different places. I've made new friends all over the U.S. I love computers and in the future I plan on gaining a career in that field as well as becoming a world champion boxer, God willing."

Merchandise

2008-12-10T02:55:00.008-06:00

Interested in a Chicago Youth Boxing Club T-shirt?

Please Email: chicagoyouthboxingclub(at)gmail.com

Also available:

Handwraps

Gloves

Donate

2008-12-10T02:50:00.006-06:00

For donations please make checks payable to:

Chicago Youth Boxing Club

Main office address:
2300 S. Millard
Chicago, IL 60623

Please Contact Us about sponsorship, volunteering and donation opportunities.

Online Donations coming soon.

Contact CYBC

2008-12-10T01:03:00.005-06:00

Chicago Youth Boxing Club
2300 S. Millard Ave.
Chicago, IL 60623
773-521-9555

Email: chicagoyouthboxingclub@gmail.com

Boxing Show 2005

2008-12-10T01:01:00.001-06:00

Hoy Event July 9, 2005

1st Boxing Show

Click on the pictures for full size.

Tribute to Boxing Champions

2008-12-10T01:00:00.017-06:00

The Boxers

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Current Boxers profiles & photos coming soon.

Check out this LISC video featuring CYBC!

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Calendar

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Memorial for John Cacielles

2008-12-10T01:00:00.007-06:00

Memorial for John "JC" Cacielles

Frequently Asked Questions

2008-12-10T00:33:00.004-06:00

Q: Does the Chicago Youth Boxing Club have it's own boxing facility, if so, where is it located?
A: Yes, we celebrated our Grand Opening of the facility on November 17, 2007 at 2300 S. Millard near the border of the Little Village and North Lawndale neighborhoods in Chicago.

Q: Why does the CYBC encourage amateur boxing?
A: It is a positive way for inner-city youth to vent out the natural aggressions that they may have pent up inside. Boxing also encourages the boxers' to control their anger, which leads to self-discipline, not only in the ring, but also in everyday life. Compare the choices of inner-city youth training in a boxing gym or roaming the streets where there are violent street gangs, guns and drugs present, the boxing gym is a far safer environment.

Q: How can I join or participate in amateur boxing programs?
A: Come check out the gym and see for yourself if you'd like to get involved with us! You can also log onto http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/ and find out what public park offers boxing programs near your home.

Q: Where do the CYBC boxers train?
A: On site in our gym near the border of North Lawndale and Little Village at 2300 S. Millard.

Q: Can an inexperienced boxer compete in tournaments?
A: Yes, CYBC, the Chicago Park District, and other gyms hold boxing shows throughout the year at different locations that allow youth to gain experience in the ring.

Q: Will an inexperienced boxer compete against a far more experienced boxer?
A: Amateur boxing coaches will always match the inexperienced boxer with another boxer of the same weight and skill level. Remember this is a sport, not a gladiator match. The coaches care about their boxers and would not risk injury to the inexperienced boxer.

Q: Isn't boxing a dangerous sport?
A: The youth who participate in basketball, soccer, rugby, baseball and most other sports are all at risk to some type of injury. The better prepared that they are, the least likely they are to become injured.

Q: Isn't boxing a violent sport compared to other sports?
A: Amateur boxing is safely regulated using experienced referees. The amateur boxers' use protective headgear, mouthpiece, groin protector, fully padded 16-ounce gloves and train for months. They are thoroughly prepared with offensive and defensive skills before they step into the ring.

Q: Don't the boxers get hurt when fighting in the ring?
A: If the referee senses that a boxer is hurt, he will immediately step between the boxers' and stop the fight and give the boxer a standing 8 count. The referee will also ask the boxer if he wishes to continue the bout, or if he sees that the boxer cannot continue he will stop the bout.

Staff

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Rob Ramos - Executive Director

Gessie Restrepo - Gym Manager

Gabriel Navarro - Head Coach

William 'Chupi' Rodriguez - Senior Coach

Marcelino "Pelon" Perez - Assistant Coach