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The Inwood Boxing Academy: Keeping the Youth of Washington Heights off the Streets

 By Matt Yanofsky

             As you walk off the streets of Uptown Manhattan and into Inwood Boxing, the first thing you may notice is the lovable Joe Brender.  Joe, the gym's owner says even though this gym is small in size, it has a big impact on many at risk youths in the area.  “We are servicing the community as plenty of young people are coming to the gym and working hard.  We have troubled kids joining the gym because their parents want them off the streets.  We are training them to become boxers, but not fighters.  We are their mentors and we are professionals”, said Brender.

             The gym which mostly is used by amateurs training for the Golden Gloves does host a few pros.  Former IBA cruiserweight champion Bobby Gunn and USBA title challenger / Edgar Santana conqueror Harrison Cuello have trained at the Inwood Boxing Academy in preparation for their licensed bouts.  When asked about the gym, Gunn was happy to discuss his experience at the Inwood Boxing Academy.

             “Joe Brender is one of the nicest and most honest people in New York boxing today.  He is a dear friend of mine and if any boxer is looking for a nice place to train, you have to look no further then the Inwood Boxing Academy”, said Gunn who just fought to a bloody draw March 22nd, 2008 in Arizona.

             The Inwood Boxing Academy has not only kept many youths who were once looking for trouble in a positive atmosphere but the gym also acts as an excellent example of what is needed to keep children away from potential dangers in a tough city environment.

          THE PROBLEM OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY TEENS CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES THAT ADOLESCENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES’ FACE TODAY.  IN AN INDEPENDENT STUDY BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AND INWOOD HAS THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA TEENAGE GROUP IN NYC.  ALTHOUGH THE CRIME RATE IN THE INWOOD-HEIGHTS AREA HAS DIMINISHED THE SEXINESS OF THE STREETS ARE PLENTIFUL.  NARCOTICS, VIOLENCE, GUNS AND GANGS PROLIFERATE THE STREETS SURROUNDING MANY YOUNGSTERS WHO COME FROM BROKEN HOMES. IN FACT GANG MEMBERS STAKE THEIR CLAIMS TO SCHOOL STREET CORNERS TO HANG OUT, RECRUIT AND SELL THEIR WARES TO THE NAÏVE.

 

           IN AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, INWOOD BOXING ACADEMY (IBA) HAS INSTITUTED A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM AIMED AT PROVIDING AT RISK-YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITIES OF WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AND INWOOD A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO USE THE ART OF SPORT BOXING TO PROMOTE A COHORT OF YOUTHS TO SUCCEED IN BOTH THEIR OVER ALL MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION.  IT IS THE INTENT OF THE IBA  AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM TO MAINTAIN A SUPPORT SYSTEM AND TO PROVIDE YOUTHS WITH POSITIVE ROLE MODELS   THEY CAN EMULATE.

 

             THE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY IBA INCLUDES TRAINING IN THE SCIENCE OF AMATEUR BOXING.. INSTILLING THE FOUR “D”S  WHICH EMPHASIZES DEVELOPMENT, DISCIPLINE, DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING OR MORE LIKE RAP SESSIONS, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, TOURNAMENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

 

THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO:

 

  1. ENGAGE ADOLESCENT IN OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE STREETS OR “GHETTO MENTALLITY”.

  2.  

  3. TO BUILD ON THE YOUTH’S SELF ESTEEM, SELF CONFIDENCE, STAMINA AND DISCIPLINE.  ASSISTING THEM IN REMAINING FOCUSED ON THEIR GOALS.

  4.  

  5. INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF PROPER NUTRITION AND EXERCISE. FOR IT TO BECOME A LIFESTYLE RATHER THAN A LIFE “CHOICE”!

  6.  

  7. IBA’S MANTRA IS “ TO KEEP THE KIDS OFF THE STREETS AND IN THE RING”.

  8.  

  9. TO BECOME A CONTRIBUTING AND SUCCESSFUL MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

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