It's called counter strike boxing, countering bad habits and fighting back with good habits.
MANTACHIE, Miss. (WTVA) — The drug epidemic in the United States is a real issue and a very real problem in our state and communities.
But what if there was a program that provided individuals with an enjoyable hobby to help them break that habit?
It's called counter strike boxing, countering bad habits and fighting back with good habits.
In Mantachie, near Park Street, you'll find a group of men boxing for a good cause.
Mark Bryson founded Counter-Strike Boxing in February.
He said the program helps teach discipline to individuals with a history of drug and alcohol use.
“This teaches them how to be men, how to be responsible. That's what they need,” he said. “This is about taking these men and making them better men.”
Hunter Page is a Counter-Strike boxer.
“I had a good friend – I don't want to say his name – but he was doing a lot of stuff and he decided he wanted to be a boxer and he wanted to get serious about it. And I told him that in order to get serious about it, he had to drop everything. And within a few weeks he dropped everything and entered a Toughman tournament. [contest] And they did a pretty good job.”
Sports and hobbies like boxing can help people kick drug addiction, says Dalton Green.
This April, Counter Strike took part in the ToughMan competition in Meridian and took home the championship belt.
“It's been a fun experience,” Eli Bryson said. “I think it's been a good job and I'm glad I had the opportunity. It's helped me stay healthy, both physically and mentally, and become a better version of myself.”
But their journey doesn't end here.
Counter-Strike is already planning its next tournament, with the team hoping to take home yet another belt.
“I have all three of my fighters up for July 27,” Bryson said. “Not only that, but Tough Man is coming back in November, so I have that scheduled as well.”
