Kids & Family
Somerville Boxing and Youth Development
Tucked in the basement at 11 Otis Street in East Somerville, there's a fight going on…in fact, a couple of them! Learn more in this segment.
Somerville, MA, Feb. 24, 2015 – Tucked in the basement at 11 Otis Street in East Somerville, there’s a fight going on… in fact, a couple of them!
But not the kind of fighting that scares moms and dads, or that ends with police sirens. This is fighting for a good cause and it happens everyday at the Somerville Boxing Club.
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“Somerville Boxing Club started in about 1978, when a bunch of guys, a bunch of ex-fighters got together [and] started a club,” Norman Stone, President of the Somerville Boxing Club, told Somerville Neighborhood News (SNN). “We do it all for the love of the sport… everybody volunteers.”
The gym is home to both amateur and professional boxers who come in and train with one of the many coaches who volunteer their time. They say that boxing teaches a person more than just fighting.
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“You have to have a lot of dedication, heart and tenacity to do it, so through boxing you learn a lot through life,” Alex Rivera, a coach and the Boxing Director of the club, told SNN. “I’m a teacher, in a way.”
One of Rivera’s students is a professional boxer who said understands the dedication involved.
“Always in the gym, I don’t go out and party or anything, you know. I’m always disciplined. It’s a good path for me,” Ryan Kielczweski said before a session with Rivera.
Rivera also coaches his son, Alex.
“He teaches all his guys and they really like him,” the fourth-grader said.
The older Rivera stressed that the club is for the kids and adults, and that all are welcome, no matter their level of expertise.
“It’s the best exercise in the world,” he said. “There are a lot of good people here that are willing to help, and instead of hanging in the streets… you come over here and you’re safe… You learn discipline: healthy body and a healthy mind, I always say,” he said.
The club is open everyday including weekends.
“You’re more than welcome to come down,” Stone said. “You come down, do your exercises, you do not have to box as long as you stay out of trouble… I try to put people in the right direction, if you want to come down here and try to do the right thing, I’ll help you out 100 percent.”