Ryan Millan- Pulley
Editorial Intern

Last month, Northeast High School announced a brand new boxing program for students. This program provides students with a positive outlet for stress, and teaches them fundamentals of boxing including stance, footwork, conditioning, and safe training practices. 

To make this program possible, Coach Evelyn Nunez from Northeast High School and Coach Lalo Robles, a former professional boxer, have partnered with Whatsoever Community Center. Located on 1201 Ewing Avenue, Whatsoever has a number of hands-on education programs ranging from STEM learning to robotics. Boxing isn’t new for Whatsoever, as they’ve had their own Amateur Boxing Club since 1941. This additional program involving Northeast students is nearly identical, with Whatsoever providing the equipment and facility.

Coach Nunez was inspired to start this program by her nephews, who are professional boxers. “So, being around them and seeing the community, the discipline, the drive that they have from all these years growing up… and when that inspired me I was kind of like ‘I wanna bring that here,’” Nunez said.

In addition to physical skills and training, the program emphasizes discipline, emotional regulation, and confidence building. The effects of this are already showing. According to Nunez, the grades of her students are already improving. During a recent session, the students were very engaged. “I’ve seen the same faces come in all the time. Tuesdays, Thursdays, even Mondays and Wednesdays,” said Coach Robles. From the beginning, students have shown they’re determined and eager to learn. 

During practices, Nunez and Robles are assisted by Coach Jeff Randolph.When introducing students to the program, he emphasizes teamwork and constructive criticism. Randolph also discusses quotes and feats from accomplished boxers, hoping to inspire the same dedication in students. Students are also inspired by local boxers who still train at Whatsoever.

Coach Robles has ambitious plans for the boxing program, hoping to expand and include more schools. He hopes boxing will become more widely recognized. “In the future, I want it to, you know, be approved as a sport, to go to state,” Robles said. “I mean, boxing is in the Olympics.”