Page 17 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 5

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Champs Eastside Boxing:

Champions Inside and Outside the Ring

Once they know they can defend
By Terry Tinkess
themselves and they have that self-
Walking into Champs Eastside confidence, they don’t need to prove

Boxing club at 223 Jarvis St. feels it at school. It is about speed, balance,
like stepping back in time. There technique, smarts and discipline and
is no mistaking the purpose of kids build that here.
this place: it is the development Luis says that boxing has helped
of the individual, both mentally some kids; some kids have turned
and physically, through hard work. their life around. He also says that
There are no bright lights or wild the adult members of the club, both
colours because the purpose is not men and women, have benefited

to amuse the eye or entertain. This as well. It might be a case of just
is serious business, as the building feeling better about themselves JorgeLuis
of self-confidence should be. The through healthier living, or even, as gives a two-part response. “Every

sweat on the brow is just a symptom one past member discovered, being boxing coach that teaches the sport
of the work that is going on within able to fend off a sexual assault. with passion does so wanting to
the individual. Maximus (Max) Bourgon, 9 shows The program teaches you to trust train a world champion. Having a
a lot of promise, according to
According to Jorge Luis, the yourself, to rely on your ability and
Jorge Luis, who runs the boxing world champion who came out of
man behind Champs, there is a club. helps you develop the physical tools your club is your dream.
lot of interest in what the club can Photo by Terry Tinkess to make that happen. But I would also like more boxers
provide, and they have had success As much as he would like to, Luis and to be able to change a life or two
with both provincial and national keep out fees cheap and affordable,” knows he can’t help everyone. It along the way. When I see a kid go
champs to their credit. He says says Luis. “All the money we take has to be within them. If it is there, over the wall, that’s my kick, that’s
that while interest has been high, in goes to replace some of the gear Champs will bring it out of them. my thrill.”
most people aren’t that interested in and to cover our expenses if we take One young member who Luis According to Luis, before you
boxing for competitive reasons. “It’s our kids to shows and events, things sees promise in is Maximus (Max) become a champion, you have to
good exercise and it is economical, like gas and hotels. Bourgon, 9, who has been coming be a contender and a contender is
I see that,” says Luis, “But I see a “A kid comes here, it costs him to Champs for about the past 18 that guy who is willing to pay the
lot of kids that don’t know about $30 a month as a competitor and months. According to his father, price to take himself as far as his
the gym, and the whole idea was to that covers his travel costs and Robert, boxing has helped Max live mind and body and heart and soul
provide a gym and access to a sport everything. Not many sports offer a healthier lifestyle, but it has also will allow. “If they do that, and even
that wasn’t readily available to the that.” encouraged him to become more if they don’t become a champion in
average kid.” Part of the problem in attracting involved and focused in school. the ring, if they apply that to their
Champs has been at their current new members, according to Luis, is While Max doesn’t disagree, he life, they are going to become a
location since about 2001. Prior to that there are still many people who says it is the physical part he likes. champion in life.
that Luis offered boxing at Paradise don’t understand how boxing can “I like to box in the ring and hit “Boxing clubs are a place of
Fitness, something he undertook in help a person develop. “People don’t people,” says Max, a man of few dreams,” adds Luis. “It is a sport
1998. understand that boxing is as much words. He says that boxing has that takes kids that might be too
For Luis, it is a labour of love as mental as it is physical and there made him more confident because small or unskilled for another sport,

much as anything. The facility is are a lot of misconceptions as well,” he knows he can protect himself. He and allows them to go as far as their
Spartan, but costs are also very low. says Luis. “They think that boxing doesn’t have to worry about being body and their mind can take them.
According to Luis, he didn’t want to teaches kids how to fight, which it bullied at school. Which is what Jorge Luis strives

see cost as a reason for someone not does, but in a controlled, structured When asked what he would ask for: to help anyone willing to try and
becoming a member. environment. They become less for if he could have one thing for his find the strength within themselves

“We’re a non-profit club. We try to violent, not more violent. club, Luis, thinks carefully, and then to be able to go the distance.

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