A Boxing Club That Makes a Difference

Manchester Ring of Champions Society keeps at-risk youth off the street.

An innovating boxing program in Manchester is giving youths more than an opportunity to learn the sport. It’s also providing an alternative to life on the streets.

The Manchester Ring of Champions Society, or “ROCS” as it’s referred to, is a non-profit boxing club that helps at-risk youth.

“It’s not only boxing. You get a good relationship with all the people around you. They support you and they're there for you,” Mykquan Williams, 13, of East Hartford, said.

Area youth, age 8 and up, are eligible to be a part of the boxing club.

“Bottom line, it keeps the kids off the streets. They have a place to go,” Kate Nicholas, president of the club, said.

Nicholas opened the club with longtime local boxing coach, Paul Cichon, because of gang and drug problems in Manchester.

“We have the same problems as cities do. We have gang influence. We have drugs, and therefore the kids need a neutral territory to come to,” Nicholas said.

ROCS puts an emphasis on mentoring and boxing's physical and spiritual benefits.

“You need your head, you need your mind, your heart and (to) learn how to move,” Marco Ortiz, 14, of Hartford, said.

“If you have a problem or something, just come in here and it will keep you occupied,” Edwin Almodovar, 17, of Manchester, said.

In addition to boxing, there are also education programs, including a book club.

Of course, it’s still a boxing club, and the organizers want kids who truly want to train and learn and sport.

“It’s good to see the different types of kids click. That's what’s most important -- different types of kids clicking, hitting it off, working together, boxing together and sparring together, and when you're done, they shake hands,” Cichon said.
 

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