Youths say boxing gym benefits them personally and academically

When it comes to keeping youths active, on top of schoolwork and off the streets, many of them turn to sports. It's no different in downtown Las Vegas, where several children turn to boxing.

One gym that offers opportunities to train in boxing and receive tutoring in school is North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing, 1018 Fremont St. Owner and coach Jose Banales has operated the non profit organization devoted to training children ages 8 to 18 since 1995.

Banales said a large portion of children who go to the gym have been involved with their share of trouble academically or legally.

"A lot of kids who have come through here were gang members, but they turned to boxing and got out," Banales said. "A lot of them wanted to drop out of school, but they went on to college. We encourage the education part, and we try to work with families."

Banales said he works with area foster grandparent programs and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for people to donate their effort in tutoring children at the gym. Though he offers youths use of his gym at no cost, each of them is required to register with USA Boxing for $45 per year and to maintain a C average in school. Students must show their report cards, and those who fall behind are encouraged to participate in tutoring sessions.

Christian Arenas, 17, has trained daily at North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing for more than a year. He said his work with volunteer coaches and other youths keeps him coming back.

"Being here helped me get out of drugs and out of trouble," Arenas said, "and it's taught me how to do better in school."

Youths train between 4:30 and 9 p.m. weekdays , learning the basics of U.S. Olympic boxing from volunteer coaches.

Banales said the kids train for events at the regional and national levels throughout the year, but some of the most notable matchups take place monthly when North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing hosts a competition for area boxing clubs at the Silver Nugget Casino, 2140 Las Vegas Blvd. North. The event's aim is to raise money for the club -- it exists primarily through private donations, grants and fundraisers -- and showcase the talent of local young boxers.

Banales' club isn't the only one devoted to training amateur boxers, both in the sport and in improving life skills. Barry's Boxing Center, 2664 S. Highland Drive, has been in business for more than 30 years. Dawn Barry, who co-owns the business with her husband, Pat, has more than 365 youths registered with the club.

"Our goal with these kids is to encourage them," Dawn Barry said. "We have seven kids in the armed services and quite a few on boxing scholarships. Some kids turn pro, but we don't try to persuade them."

Dawn Barry said every child who walks through the door gets registered with USA Boxing and can't be failing or skipping classes at school. Unlike North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing, Barry's charges $25 monthly dues for amateur boxers, which covers full use of the gym and instruction from certified volunteer coaches.

Dawn Barry said the center functions well because of its role in the community and with help from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulates professional unarmed combat for amateur and professional boxers. "We're a very large club, and we do it by the numbers and by the book," Dawn Barry said. "The boxing community is a small community . We all work together and help each other."

For information about North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing, call 335-0571 or visit nlvcenterringboxing.webs.com. For more information on Barry's Boxing Center, call 368-2696 or visit barrysboxingcenter.com.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-0492.