RING OF HOPE BOXING CLUB OFFERS GANG ALTERNATIVE.Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer PALMDALE - Jose Reyes wanted to make a positive impact on Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley youngsters' lives. He wanted a way to keep them off the streets, away from drugs and out of gangs. His dream became reality with the Grace Boxing Club. ``The main thing is to keep kids out of trouble and give them something positive to do,'' Reyes said. ``We have some kids who play other sports and come to train to get in shape and some who want to learn how to box.'' The club, housed in a small downtown building, has clientele ranging from novices to former and current champions - the youngest boxer currently training at the club is 7 and the oldest is 68. Among them is Suzy Taylor, a former IBA IBA abbr. International Bar Association IBA (in Britain) Independent Broadcasting Authority IBA n abbr (Brit) (= Independent Broadcasting Authority world heavyweight champion for women who walked away from the boxing world a year and a half ago but recently started training at Grace. She says Grace's trainer, Jose Rodriguez The name José Rodríguez or Jose Rodriguez may refer to:
``It's a very supportive environment but they work you hard,'' Taylor said. ``I needed someone that was tough but not demeaning de·mean 1 tr.v. de·meaned, de·mean·ing, de·means To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular manner: demeaned themselves well in class. like some trainers can be. It's just a great place to be.'' Taylor, 35, an Acton resident, said she got out of boxing because what she believed was bad judging cost her a fight. She wants back in now to reclaim her title. ``I've got some scores to settle, some things to take care of,'' she said. Born and raised in Palmdale, Taylor placed second in the first-ever female fighting championships. She went on to earn the IBA super middleweight super middleweight n. 1. A weight division in professional boxing having an upper limit of 168 pounds (75.6 kilograms), between middleweight and light heavyweight. 2. A boxer competing in this weight division. title and in 1998 the IBA world heavyweight title. Grace's owner has been known to let kids whose parents can't afford the lessons train for free. ``The money isn't why we do this,'' Reyes said. ``We're helping people in need. One day we would like to be funded by the city or some businesses. We have to pay money out of our own pocket to drive down below to get these kids to fights, so we have to do car washes and raffles Raffles leading Victorian criminal-hero. [Br. Lit.: Herman, 19–20] See : Thievery to pay for that.'' The kids who are allowed to train for free or at discount rates are required to maintain good grades in school to continue, Reyes said. The boxing club will host a grand opening celebration at 2 p.m. Aug. 7. The celebration will include a barbecue barbecue [West Indian or South American], in the United States, traditionally an open-air gathering, political or social, in which meats are roasted whole over a pit of embers and food and drink are liberally enjoyed. , mariachi mariachi Traditional Mexican street ensemble. The performer, the musical style, and the musical ensemble are called mariachi. Mariachi music emerged in the late 1700s or early 1800s. music and raffles. Greg Botonis, (661) 267-7802 gregory.botonis(at)dailynews.com GRACE BOXING CLUB The club is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. It is located at 821 E. Ave. Q-7, Palmdale. For more information, visit the club or call (661) 575-0519. CAPTION(S): 5 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Jose Reyes, 17, and former IBA world champion Suzy Taylor are in training at the Grace Boxing Club in Palmdale. (2 -- color) Johnny Reyes, 12, punches the speed bag at the Grace Boxing Club, which is holding a grand opening Aug.7. (3) Grace Boxing Club member Danny Castro, 14, hits the heavy bag Thursday during practice at the club's downtown Palmdale location. (4 -- 5) Among the clientele at the Grace Boxing Club - whose ages range from 7 to 68 - are Celeste Celeste is a woman's first name. Celeste may also refer to: in Music
Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer Box: GRACE BOXING CLUB (see text) |
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