In front of $15,000 worth of new boxing equipment, Mayor Martin O'Malley announced the start of the mayor's Youth Boxing Program yesterday at the Herring Run Recreation Center.
Nearly 200 people listened as numerous guests, including world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, spoke on the positive influence the program could have on Baltimore.
"Rahman told me that boxing saved his life," said O'Malley.
The champ, who grew up in East Baltimore and now lives in Harford County, said the new program "represents a different avenue these children can travel."
And then he announced that his rematch with Lennox Lewis will occur Nov. 10 in Las Vegas.
Longtime trainer Mack Lewis said boxing, indeed, can lead kids away from problems. The man who took Rahman, for one, off the streets and into his East Baltimore gym also liked the new facility.
"This place is nicer than my gym," he said, looking over the new ring and punching and speed bags, which 50 young boxers already signed up will start using today.
"I knew that the streets would get [Rahman] if I didn't," he said. "So I talked to him about life, about how to treat people - how to talk to people and treat people right. I'll talk to these kids about the same thing."
The idea for the new program stemmed from an e-mail sent by Gus Kaplanges, president of the South Atlantic Boxing Association, to O'Malley's office. In it, Kaplanges said that a city-wide boxing program would bring down crime significantly. The mayor agreed.
The city's program hopes to emulate Umar Boxing and Youth Development Inc., a private West Baltimore youth organization that has about 250 members and 100 boxers registered with USA Boxing, governing body of the amateur sport.
Marvin McDowell, Umar's boxing director, said he takes kids who are aggressive and turns that aggression into something positive.
"Kids from trouble areas with drugs and crime who like to fight - I take them into the gym, and I tell them, `This is where the bad boys are.' "
Umar, using the motto "No Hooks before Books," offers math and reading tutors, computer labs and, for kids to participate, demands they improve academically.
Umar will work closely with the city-backed program, which is headed by Leon Fitzgerald, a former Lewis fighter.
Marvin F. Billups Jr., the city Department of Recreation and Parks director, said the agency expects to spend "at least $85,000" on the free boxing program, which is open to more participants.
"We received a $75,000 grant for lacrosse, so that opened up opportunities for other programs," he said."
Having the heavyweight champion of the world backing the program doesn't hurt, either.
Byron Goodman, 14, a state Golden Gloves champ who was part of a mock bout with another boy yesterday, called Rahman "a good person," adding, "Most people don't give back."
More information: Tony White, 410-396-1654. Staff writer Lem Satterfield contributed to this article.
