There is a new gym on the block. The Crenshaw Boxing Club opened in September in Leimert Park, and its owner, Paladin Morgan, is using the sport to empower youth, teach self-defense, get the community in shape, and to create champions.
The gym is on Crenshaw Boulevard, between Stocker and Vernon. It’s pretty easy to spot while driving by, as the boxing ring can be seen from the street. Inside there are classes for boxing, MMA, Zumba, and cardio fitness. While some people want to get in the ring and mix it up with an opponent, most people are not interested in being punched back. So there is something for everybody.
Morgan is putting a lot of effort into strengthening the gym’s youth program, giving children as young as 7 years old an activity that is outside of the typical sports. The program isn’t just built to create the next boxing star, but instead to teach kids right from wrong, and to put them on the right path.
Morgan’s slogan for the youth program is “put down the guns, pick up the gloves.”
“It’s been a lot of killings,” Morgan said. “Black on Black crime, minority crime. ‘Put down the guns, pick up the gloves’ is perfect for the community. We need that at the moment, because there is a lot of violence going on, and we can help stop it. Guns end lives.”
Boxing requires a lot of discipline, and following strict instructions is key.
“When you’re in the ring you have to listen to what I say, or you’re going to get hurt,” Morgan said. “Just by them listening to me on that, they’ll listen to me further in life and in other things.”
The trainers at the boxing gym mentor the children, and teach them how to give respect first, and then how to get respect. They also teach the youth how to avoid a confrontation.
“People learn how to get out of sticky situations,” Morgan said. “Either by fighting, or getting out of a fight. Self defense, you can be verbal, or you can be physical, and we’re going to teach both. You can [sometimes] defend yourself by just saying something.”
Morgan’s goal is to create boxing champions out of this gym, so he wants to get the kids started at a young age.
For people who are simply looking to get into shape, they can learn the art of boxing by hitting the bags and learning the movements without being punched. A lot of women take the Zumba and cardio classes. Many people are taking the boxing classes to learn how to better defend themselves.
The gym opens at 7 a.m. everyday, and closes at 10 p.m. There are sparring sessions nightly, which attract a pretty big crowd.
For more information, stop by the gym located at 4279 Crenshaw Blvd., or call (323) 963-2798.
