Where can I find a great boxing gym for a teenage boy in the South Bay area, SoCal?

May 3, 2007 4:31 PM

My youngest brother is 15 and became interested in boxing recently. So far we have the gear ready and laid down some ground rules (eg no boxing outside the club, keep up grades if want to continue). However, the club he was hoping to get into are not accepting new members and now he's crushed. We're looking for gyms in the Torrance/Lomita/PV/San Pedro. We live towards San Pedro, but my brother's high school is in Torrance. Hopefully there's a gym my brother could ride the bus to. I am also worried about him training with adults as he's quite slight. Any suggestions?
posted by sweetlyvicious to sports, hobbies, & recreation (8 comments total)

You could try the forums at Crossfit. They are more focused around developing general fitness, not on boxing, but there are a lot of martial artists and fighters on the boards who may be able to point you to a good gym. It takes a few days to get your membership approved though so you can't post immediately. You can search the archives.

Similarily, you could ask the Ross Boxing forums.

I'm just pulling this off Google. You could contact the Southern California division of USA Boxing here. Or try something off this list here (I have no idea of the legitimacy of the clubs in that last link, again, just pulled it off Google).
posted by schroedinger at 6:35 PM on May 3, 2007

The American Medical Association and American Academy of Neurology have called for an absolute ban on boxing. "There is absolutely no way you can make boxing safe," said Nelson Richards, MD. I'd echo that sentiment.

Therefore, since you asked for "any" suggestions, I suggest you find a different sport for your brother.

If you were already aware of these facts, please accept my apology for derailing your thread.
posted by ikkyu2 at 7:37 PM on May 3, 2007

Not to be an ass, but to echo ikkyu2:

Dementia pugilistica
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 7:46 PM on May 3, 2007

You may also want to look for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) schools, as most incorporate boxing as an aspect of their training.
posted by falconred at 8:47 PM on May 3, 2007

Boxing is dangerous. But it is also glorious. Life is filled with wonderful and dangerous things. Football. Skiing. Hunting with Dick Cheney.

As a parent you have an obligation to mitigate you child's exposure to danger and harm. But if he shows a real gift or his interest is more than faddish denying him a chance and doing this would be a disservice. It is a wonderful sport. He will gain skills and a means of self expression that serve him for years.

Juniors generally box with more "Olympic" rules. That includes mandatory head gear and more round over-sight and point scoreing.

It would be best if you can find a Junior program becuase he will likely get more longevity out it. Most Gyms that concentrate JUST on adults will only mine Juniors for money and usually wont train them all that well.

Boxing Gyms are getting increasingly hard to find. Frankly boxing has a stigma of being for poor minorities and ex convicts or something. I don't know of any in your area.

MMA is gaining in popularity and may be easier to find than pure boxing in most middle class areas. Check to see if the MMA gym will has an instructor with certification from Thai Boxing Association or other sanctioned boxing organization. You can check with your State Athletic commission to see which organizations are sanctioned.

MMA is slightly safer in many ways becuase the rule structure allows for more avenues to win - including tap out. Thowing bombs with 16oz gloves going for the spectacle KO is what cuases such cumulative injuries in striking.

As a former boxer I have to say that I wold rather my Kids do MMA than straight up box. With good MMA training a kid can go on to do numerous other arts. Kick boxing. Judo. Jiu Jitsu. What have you.
posted by tkchrist at 9:18 PM on May 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

Thank you for all the answers everyone :)

ikkyu2 & i_am_a_jedi: I am aware of the dangers of boxing and of the call for the banning of boxing. However, I would like to give my brother a try at the sweet science before saying no. After all, I did a few boxing lessons as a young girl before realising it wasn't for me. I love watching the fights, but I wouldn't step in the ring. Perhaps my brother would come to the same conclusion as well.

tkchrist: Thank you for the suggestion of MMA. I have found a place a busride away from his school that does kickboxing and we're going to have a look. He's disappointed, but like you say, it seems slightly safer. Who knows, he may take a shine to it.

schroedinger: Thank you for the boxing links. When he's a little older and decides he still wants to box, I'll know where to refer him.
posted by sweetlyvicious at 9:36 PM on May 3, 2007

Kickboxing is a possible alternative if you can't find a regular boxing gym.
posted by electroboy at 10:04 AM on May 4, 2007

There's a boxing gym in Hermosa Beach, on PCH & 3th -- http://www.boxingworks.smoola.com/. I don't know much about it other than it's right next to the gym I used to go to. Torrance Transit will probably get your brother there.
posted by soundslikeobiwan at 3:55 PM on May 5, 2007