Youths learn the game

The organizer encourages a family atmosphere.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Darryl Spencer, 15, decided to learn to box at Warren Boxing Association at the urging of a relative.
Now a team captain, Darryl said he continues to attend the daily sessions because it keeps him focused and off the streets.
"I was a cocky kid," Darryl said. "I thought, boxing's easy. I can do that."
After the first day two years ago, he was exhausted from the workout that starts with running about a mile and includes sit-ups and high-knee runs before even getting in the ring to spar or hitting the bag.
But his exhaustion didn't stop him from coming back.
"I've been coming here since that first day," said Darryl, a sophomore at Warren G. Harding High School. "It keeps me off the streets. We have a tutor here so it keeps me working and doing my homework."
Began four years ago
Leavittsburg native P.C. Torres started the non-profit program about four years ago. It started with a Community Development Block Grant from the city.
"We're now self-funded, which means we have no money," he joked.
He asks for $5 fee per month but he recognizes that some kids can't afford it and doesn't prevent them from participating.
Participants range in age from 8 to adult, although those 18 and older must have a job to participate.
"I've never understood a grown man who doesn't work," said Torres, who works at the city's environmental services department. "I used to have two and three jobs even when I was boxing."
He fought as an amateur in 1985 and fought two professional bouts in 2000 and 2001.
"I always wanted to box professionally and I asked my wife and she said that I could," Torres smirked. "The first fight she said it was OK, but I had to beg for the second one. I just wanted to say that I did it."
He also credits his wife, Chris, for his involvement in Warren Boxing Association.
Lot of time in gym
Conducting training sessions for young people year-round four nights a week and on Saturday afternoons before tournaments means Torres spends a lot of time away from home.
The boxers gather on the first floor of the city's community services building, 418 Main St. Two rings dominate the floor surrounded by heavy bags and photographs of boxers line the wall.
A Wall of Honor lists the names of all participants who boxed in a tournament, the names of brothers Jamelle and Kaleem Vann among them. They've been boxing about two years.
At a tournament last year, Jamelle, 13, and Kaleem, 12, of Warren, both students at Western Reserve Middle School, faced each other in the ring because no opponents from other teams matched their size.
Their father, Paul, who attends each session with them, insists the match didn't cause any bad feelings.
The importance of the Wall of Honor shows on Kaleem's face.
"It makes me feel like I accomplished something," he said.
Fathers work with sons
On a recent afternoon, fathers worked with their sons in the ring and on the bags and Torres said he encourages parental participation.
"I try to make this is a family atmosphere," he said, adding that he expects everyone to represent Warren Boxing Association well while traveling.
Torres also prohibits street fighting by his young boxers.
"I tell them when they come here that their street fighting days are over," he said.
Steve Marsh of Leavittsburg starting bringing sons, Greg, 10, and Eric, 12, three days a week a few months ago.
Eric, who also dabbles in soccer and other sports, said boxing gives him the best workout while his younger brother, also an avid sports participant, acknowledged an occasional pain in his abdominal muscles from the sit-ups.
"I really didn't expect them to grab onto it the way they did," Steve Marsh said. "Everyday when they get off the bus, they ask me, 'Are we going boxing today?' "
Weather permitting, the young athletes start sessions by running the steps at the Community Amphitheater near Perkins Park.
"The first time, they were yelling, 'Ooh, it's like in Rocky,' " Torres said. "They don't yell Rocky anymore. They hate those steps."
Darryl won his first fight at a tournament last month and displays the trophy in a case at home.
He beams while describing that day and hopes for another victory at a tournament later this month in Fremont, Ohio.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Darryl said.
denise_dick@vindy.com