Boxing gym offers physical and emotional benefits for kids

By Charles Christian

A local boxing gym owner wants to turn the sport into an avenue of hope and growth for area youth.

Byron Polley, former professional boxer and owner of The Bear Den Boxing at 2300 Frederick Ave. in Downtown St. Joseph, said his recent relocation has increased membership and has also provided new opportunities to inspire youth in the area.

“I want to give them an outlet,” Polley said. “I want them to avoid trouble with mom or dad or school or police. My ultimate goal is to save lives.”

Boxing is a sport that requires consistency, technical instruction and discipline in order to succeed. These are all characteristics Polley hopes will stick with the kids in the program, even if they don’t pursue boxing as a career or as a lifelong hobby.

“I want to help stop suicides and bullying, and I want to give the kids an alternative to things like addiction and drugs,” Polley said.

The weekly program for kids includes a wide age range, from elementary-aged beginners to veterans of the program who are in their late teens and early 20s.

Angela Hubbard, mother of a 14-year-old girl who has struggled with mental health issues, said she has already seen a big difference in her daughter after just a few months of participation.

“She just started the program at the beginning of April,” Hubbard said, “and she is a completely different kid today.”

Her daughter, Caydence McIntosh, agrees.

“Coming here helps me let out my anger,” McIntosh said. “Everybody here is just so nice and so helpful, and I just love this place.”

In addition to the psychological benefits, kids who were once barely active have found a new way to get in shape and to increase their self-esteem. This has bene the case for 19-year-old Andy Hernandez, who has been part of the program for two and a half years.

“Before I didn’t really do anything,” Hernandez said. “All I did was sit at home playing video games and all that. I was a bigger individual, so when I started boxing, it changed my life. I got in shape.”

Younger kids are also reaping the benefits of the skills they are learning and the friendships they are developing. Nine-year-old Elijah Porter said he has fallen in love with the sport already.

“I love helping out people, and being a role model,” Porter said. “I want to keep doing boxing. My goal is to be a heavyweight champion of the world.”

Regardless of long-term goals, dozens of kids are benefitting from the consistency, discipline and camaraderie they share in the program.

The gym also has programs for adults, and it now boasts about 70 members total. Monthly membership fee information can be found on the gym’s Facebook page, or by calling (816) 646-2146. Gym hours are Monday from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m., Saturday from 3-5 p.m. and Sunday from 5-6 p.m. The gym has opportunities for every skill level, including those who simply want to get in shape.