Evan Olsen, 27, prepares for a punch while training at the ADK Boxing & Fitness Gym on Tuesday. Olsen is set to make his debut at Latham on Saturday. (Corporate photo — Aaron Marborn)
SARANAC LAKE — Gloved fists slam against heavy bags, ropes pound the floor and music from Fort Minor and System of a Down plays as high school students and adults work out Tuesday at the ADK Boxing & Fitness Gym. rang out.
Jacob Swain, 12, was jumping rope. He didn't know how to do it when he started in October, but he quickly got used to it, doing crosses and jumping on one leg.
Ryan Bonnett, 17, sparred with the gym's head coach, Greg Landon. Bonnet has a background in mixed martial arts and works on boxing striking strategies.
Evan Olsen, 27, was preparing for his debut at Latham on Saturday. He will be competing at super heavyweight against a man named Christopher Henry from the Albany area.
“We didn't have much time to prepare. We just got back from the Middle East.” Olsen said.
ADK Boxing & Fitness Gym head coach Greg Landon sparred with 17-year-old Ryan Bonnett on Tuesday. (Corporate photo — Aaron Marborn)
He said he had been beaten by his sparring partner the day he returned from being stationed in the Kuwait Army. Olsen wanted to learn skills to stay fit while abroad, so he started going to the gym a few months before his departure.
He said he has been training virtually with Landon in recent weeks.
“What's important is your feet.” Olsen said as he punched the bag. “Everything comes from the feet.”
There was a lot of talk about hitting, bruising, attacking, and punishing.
“Looks like it's all about brutality here.” Landon said.
Ryan Bonnett, 17, threw a punch at a bag at the ADK Boxing & Fitness gym on Tuesday. (Corporate photo — Aaron Marborn)
But that's not really the case, he said.
“Oh my god.” Olsen said. “The camaraderie and the camaraderie, even going down and fighting people you've never met. Then you're embracing it. It's just beautiful.”
Boxing has a close-knit community, Landon said. He has a long-term vision of bringing competitive boxing to the Adirondacks.
He currently works out of Dance Sanctuary's River Studio in the Dorsey Street parking lot. But Landon said he recently signed a lease on a former hot yoga studio in Lake Placid. He said he plans to keep a youth boxing club at Saranac Lake because there is a group of students who are eager to attend after school.
Youth Boxing Club meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30pm to 5pm.
Jacob Swain, 12, jumped rope at the ADK Boxing and Fitness Gym on Tuesday. He didn't know how to do it when he started in October, but quickly got the hang of it, doing crosses and jumping on one leg. (Corporate photo — Aaron Marborn)
