MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The City of Memphis is encouraging youth and young adults to put up their dukes and learn to box, virtually.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the city is providing free virtual boxing lessons for kids and young adults.
The Memphis Office of Youth Services, through partnership with local gyms, launched a free boxing lesson opportunity where young adults could ultimately compete in a program known as the "Boxing at the Pipkin" initiative. That stopped due to the pandemic and until it's safe to resume the office will provide lessons virtually.
To do this, the city is partnering with Restoration House, a free boxing gym for youth in Frayser, and the Boxing Academy of Nashville.
"We just really want to keep our young people in the right direction," Memphis Office of Youth Services Director Ike Griffith said. "They’re going through quite a bit: school work, virtually, everything going on it’s just so much. We really want to make sure that we can do something to help them cope this academic, virtual school year and having activities like this is so important.”
Through the virtual lessons, youth and young adults will learn boxing techniques, conditioning, nutrition and boxing etiquette, as well as life skills.
With murder rates going up in the city and in several cases, youth being the victims of violence, Griffith said they need to provide ways to give youth purpose and an outlet.
“We’re just trying to get our young people acclimated into doing the right thing," Griffith said. "That’s just the bottom line. Doing the right thing. They have so much to live for and we are losing so many of our young people at an early age.”
Griffith added that boxing is a sport that helps with conflict resolution. A skill that he believes would be useful for youth and preventing violence.
Registration is underway now through the end of November before the virtual classes begin on December 3rd. Training sessions will be held every first and third Thursday of each month.
Learn more on how to register here.
