It opened in 2006, everything started in my garage with only one boxing bag and training only one friend. Eventually, that friend came with another friend, and soon enough, we had ten people coming every day. I’ve always enjoyed boxing and started training at the age of 7. I always said to myself, “This is my favorite sport!”
I had many fights as an amateur and professional boxer. I retired in 2001 and after 5 years, boxing came into my life again. It started off as a game with friends and grew from there. Since 2006, my purpose is to help our young people in the community. With the support of everyone, I started to set up my garage with equipment to start a boxing gym. It was a place where the youth had something to do and stay out of trouble. Everyday a new student arrived at our boxing gym and without realizing it, the members at the gym grew from only a couple people to dozens every week.
It was then when I decided our gym would be called: DANNY RIZZO PRO BOXING CLUB. Little by little, we were growing-but something happened in 2012. Unfortunately, our boxing gym caught on fire due to an accident. Since it was next to my house, the entire building burst into flames. We lost everything we had. My students were in shock when they heard what had happened. The news was very sad but everyone told me that the gym had to come back and that they would help me. I had many doubters during this difficult time. People thought my gym had come to a complete end and would never re-open. I had faith in God and support from the students and their families. Neighbors sold food, others made car-washes; others had yard sales. All or their time and effort was because they wanted their gym back. We put a lot of effort to have our gym back and thank God every day we achieved it. Today I continue and will always continue to support and help the youth and our community.
Our gym continues to grow with the love and support we receive every day. We are asking for donations to support our gym in hope of training our members into the best boxers they can be. Any help is greatly appreciated.