Clarice Morales is a professional boxer, but during the summer she spends a few hours each weekday coaching more than 50 kids in downtown Toledo.
TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo woman is using her boxing success to teach young people not only how to throw a punch, but also how to stay focused and stay out of trouble.
Clarice Morales is a professional boxer who helps 50 to 60 kids each day through her summer youth development program at Soul City Gym.
Soul City Boxing Gym is an anti-gang, anti-violence 501c3 organization located in downtown Toledo.
“What we do at Soul City is treat all the kids like family. We take care of them like they're our own,” Morales said.
Morales is using his two years of experience in the boxing ring to show young men and women today that there is a better way to succeed.
“It's about keeping them out of trouble and showing them that there are alternatives, that they don't always have to go to the streets to find something to do or learn a new skill,” Morales said.
Thirteen-year-old James Bragg III is one of the top boxers of his age in the country and a participant in Soul City's boxing program.
“It's great because we have some great instructors here who teach us about behavior and boxing,” Bragg said.
Ezekiel McSwain agrees that programs like Morales' are needed.
“I teach the bad kids in the area so it's really helped me out not only with my skills but also behaviorally,” student Ezekiel McSwain said.
Morales said this is simply his way of giving back, and he's happy to be able to share the skills he learned at a young age and give back to the next generation.
“We want to help the community as much as we can and continue to grow. The youth are definitely the future,” Morales said.
Morales' summer boxing program will be held at Soul City Boxing Gym, 801 Junction Ave., Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
For more information about the free program, call Soul City Boxing at 313 720-7800.
