The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
BOXING CLUB DEVELOPS YOUTH
Program teaches more than fundamentals to students
Lorain’s United Boxing Club is teaching kids more than how to throw a proper jab or a powerful left hook.
With strong support from the community, the program is teaching kids discipline and continual learning through the lens of boxing.
Only a short drive from Lorain’s downtown core, it is conceivable that many people pass by the Vine and Hope Church at 1310 Colorado Ave. without any idea of the athletes who train in their cozy location. Heading into the back parking lot and walking through the inconspicuous entrance, one could hardly imagine what you might find.
Walking inside, Lorain’s United Boxing Club comes into full view. With a full size regulation boxing ring and every different piece of training equipment you could imagine, the program is changing lives.
Coach George Mills is a Lorain native and took the reins of the program in 2016 following the retirement of longtime coach and mentor Freddy Barreiro.
Involved in the sport his entire life, Mills reminisced about his days growing up in south Lorain and sneaking out of the house to train.
“So I was like a little runt. I sucked, I was terrible,” Mills said. “I wanted to learn it so bad. Freddy (Barreiro) would give me a chance. I wasn’t allowed
“The one thing I’ve learned is don’t try to pressure the kid. You’ve got to make it fun. When you do that they get hungry and stay interested.” — Coach George Mills
to box anymore because my parent’s wanted me to play the drums. I played all kinds of percussion instruments. They sent me on my merry way and I would try to sneak out and go train come back all sweaty.”
Mills comes in directly from work, coffee in hand, ready to work alongside some dedicated volunteer trainers including Freddy Osorio and Dan McDowell. The program welcomes area youth as young as seven up to age 30 where they are exposed to the fundamentals of boxing in a fun and encouraging environment and takes to heart the program’s role in the community.
“It is very meaningful to me now that I’m older, because I used to go out and fight people,” he said. “And that was the knuckle days when you could just fight and it was over with. And it gave me a lot of confidence in myself. I know what I can do and don’t have to do this. There are ways to get away from this. There are other things than boxing but its in my heart and soul and I needed it.”
In the 1500 square foot
space, on a good day 50 people will take part in the program’s open evening training sessions.
“The one thing I’ve learned is don’t try to pressure the kid. You’ve got to make it fun. When you do that they get hungry and stay interested,” Mills said.
Standing at ringside, Mills’ booming voice offered encouragement to promising 17-year-old fighter Bryan Torres. “Come on Bryan! Turn it like you mean it baby,” Mills said.
An honor roll student at Lorain High School, Mills said it hasn’t stopped Bryan from having a friendly sibling rivalry with his younger brother Shackbel Torres.
“He’s got a lot of talent and is very poised and is always thinking in the ring. They both go out there and try to get fight of the night. One night they each got knockouts,” he added.
Mills, a certified referee, judge and timekeeper with USA Boxing is involved in preparing fighters to compete in the Lake Erie Boxing Association around northeast Ohio in addition to events out of state. A gifted leader, organizer and mentor, he was emphatic about keeping the emphasis on the kids and
changing their lives for the better.
“The first time coming in, some are real snobby, some don’t care and some just fit right in. But when they come through that door, this is their haven and this is their home. They come here to work, to train and to meet people from all over the community of all nationalities,” Mills said. “They come in here just the way there are, and after a while once you get to know them they come out of their shell.”
In 2016 the United Boxing Club began welcoming girls making it co-ed and giving everyone an opportunity to get some exposure to the sport.
In addition, on Tuesdays and Thursdays youth involved in the program are able to come and get tutoring and help with their homework from Guillermo Arriaga, President and Curator of the Museum of Hispanic and Latino Cultures, and are supported by Lorain’s El Centro de Servicios Sociales.
Kevin Chisholm Sr. of Lorain has been participating with his eight-yearold son, Kevin Chisholm Jr. since relocating from Akron, and has enjoyed being a part of this greater community
project after watching Floyd Mayweather fight Conor McGregor.
“He really wanted to learn boxing. So I asked a couple people and they gave me their name (United Boxing Club). I asked them how much and he said it’s free and he takes donations and that it’s all about the community and keeping kids on the straight and narrow,” Chisolm said.
The positive and encouraging environment includes participating in charity work with LCCC, El Centro and volunteering at the FireFish festival in addition to having mentors from the community come in from time to time to talk to youth in the program.
“They are really teaching them how to get along with each other. I couldn’t believe the guy (Mills) does all this for free and with his own time,” Chisolm said. “And you see other parents coming in and teaching. It’s all about learning. That’s what it’s all about.”
The United Boxing Club is open Monday-Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to everyone free of charge.
On Jan. 5, 2018 the club will be holding a bake sale fundraiser during their regular training session.