"The Brick's" Guide Directory To Toronto Boxing
Welcome to this special edition of "Blue Corner".
The regular edition will be published later today or tomorrow.
Below are links to places to learn how to box in Toronto. These links appear at the end of every "Blue Corner" entry, but in this entry, we will be taking a closer look at them.
I have my favourites, but this is not going to contain my opinions.
That is why I am not calling this a "guide". It is more of a directory.
This directory is for those looking for a facility in Toronto to learn boxing, and to save you hours of research, I have done it for you, and complied it here.
All of the information contained within is based on my own research, and is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
If there are any inaccuracies, please let me know so I may correct them.
First, a few things you should know about boxing in Ontario. These apply to all boxing gyms.
CERTIFICATION: COACHES AND CLUBS
All real boxing gyms and coaches in Ontario are required to have a certification from either Boxing Ontario or the Ontario Boxing Association.
Boxing Ontario is based in Toronto, and the Ontario Boxing Association (OBA) is in Niagara Falls.
Both of these are subsidized non-profits who oversee amateur boxing.
They ensure that gyms are safe and are following regulations, and to ensure that boxing officials and coaches receive adequate training in order to do their jobs efficiently.
They are also in charge of supplying referees and judges for competitions.
I highly recommend that you check to see if a gym and coach are certified before joining.
Boxing Ontario lists all of their certified clubs on their web site, but the OBA does not.
CERTIFICATION: ATHLETES
In addition to the coaches and gyms, the athletes must also be certified.
Once you have tried boxing for a while, and are interested in competing, talk to your coach on how to become certified.
BOXING CLASSES
We all have to start somewhere.
Different clubs teach boxing in different ways, and we all learn in different ways.
All boxing clubs offer some sort of structured classes. These may be only for beginners, or may extend into intermediate and even advanced levels.
Some of the classes are required and some are optional. It depends on how the coach prefers to teach.
Most clubs offer try-out classes. This is the best way for someone new to boxing to see which type of class is best for them.
SPARRING
This is the big question.
You walk into a boxing gym, and see two guys pounding on each other, and you want to try it.
That's good, but you can't.
It is a common myth that you can step into a boxing gym for the first time, and then step right into the ring. It just doesn't happen. At least not in the province of Ontario.
First and foremost, you must be a registered certified amateur boxer, as per mentioned above.
Second, your coach has to evaluate your performance outside the ring first.
Even if you have boxed before, a new coach does not know that, and will still need to evaluate your skills before allowing you to spar.
There are two types of sparring, soft sparring and hard sparring.
Soft sparring is not full-contact. Some gyms call this light sparring or tap sparring. It is designed to allow boxers to focus on technique, whilst not needing to worry about being clocked.
Although there are many advantages to soft sparring, there is one big disadvantage. Boxers forget to concentrate on defence.
Defence is very important in boxing, as it is in other sports. Soft sparring is generally responsible for athletes forgetting defensive techniques.
Hard sparring is better for practicing defence. Hard sparring is full-contact. Meaning that forgetting to defend yourself will usually result in immediate, and sometimes painful feedback.
The type of sparring you will do will again depend on your coach.
Some will want you to do light sparring before you do full-contact. Some other coaches usually do not promote soft sparring at all.
However, all gyms that are certified will allow their certified boxers to participate in full-contact sparring.
A lot of times, people quit boxing after their first hard sparring session.
The real test, the point at which you call really call yourself a "boxer", is after your first hard sparring, and then you come back for more.
TORONTO BOXING CLUBS, BY AREA
Downtown, south of Bloor St.
Head Coach: Peter Wylie
Assistant coaches and trainers? Yes
Structured classes? Yes, required for beginners
Soft sparring classes? Yes, optional
Fitness classes? No, technical boxing classes only
Certified by: Boxing Ontario
Cabbagetown Boxing is part of the Youth Centre, although there are "older" members.
This club has structured boxing classes, and are required for beginners. Open gym is available for intermediate and advanced boxers.
Beginners my choose non-contact classes, but full-contact sparring is required for competitors.
As per club rules, a coach must always be present for any gym use.
North, north of Hwy 401
Head Coach: Armand Teodorescu
Assistant coaches and trainers? Yes
Structured classes? Yes, required for beginners
Soft sparring classes? Yes, optional
Fitness classes? Yes
Certified by: Boxing Ontario
Atlas Boxing offers structured classes that are required for beginners. Open gym and fitness classes are also available.
Atlas boxing coaches both amateur and professional boxers.
Non-contact classes are available. Those interested in competing will be required to participate in the full-contact sparring classes.
Head Coach: Ryan Grant
Assistant coaches and trainers? Yes
Structured classes? Yes, required for all
Soft sparring classes? No
Fitness classes? Yes
Certified by: OBA
Headrush used to be called Grant Brothers.
Structured classes for all members, but are geared to each boxer's skill level. There are also martial arts classes available for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay thai and Olympic wrestling.
Both amateur and professionals can train here.
No soft sparring classes, and hard sparring is required for all competitive boxers.
Head Coach: Viloryi Kim
Assistant coaches and trainers? No
Structured classes? Yes, required for all
Soft sparring classes? No
Fitness classes? No, technical boxing classes only
Certified by: Boxing Ontario
Siberia Boxing Club teaches a technique known as "Russian Boxing".
This club has structured boxing classes for all-ages, and for youths. They also offer private lessons.
All classes are structured, but are based on the skill level of the participating boxers.
There are no classes dedicated for light sparring, but full-contact is required for competitive athletes.
East, east of Yonge St.
Head Coach: Rico Mancini
Assistant coaches and trainers? Yes
Structured classes? Yes, required for all
Soft sparring classes? Yes, required
Fitness classes? Yes
Certified by: Boxing Ontario
Clancy's is unique in that everyone, regardless of skill, are required to participate in structured boxing classes.
There are three levels of boxing classes for competitive boxers. Each level teaches more complex techniques. Light sparring is included in Levels One and Two. Once a boxer reaches Level Three, he will participate in hard sparring, and will be offered the opportunity to join the competitive team.
Professional boxers are also welcome at Clancy's.
Head Coach: Horace Hunter
Assistant coaches and trainers? Yes
Structured classes? Yes, required for beginners
Soft sparring classes? No
Fitness classes? Yes
Certified by: Boxing Ontario
Gideon Academy offers both structured classes and open gym. However, beginners are required to take classes.
There are no specific soft sparring classes. Although, there are fitness classes for those who want to focus on fitness rather than competition. Competitors are required to participate in hard sparring classes.
Private lessons/training is available.
West, west of Yonge St.
Head Coach: Richard Soucé
Assistant coaches and trainers? Yes
Structured classes? Yes, required for beginners
Soft sparring classes? No
Fitness classes? Yes
Certified by: Boxing Ontario
Stockyards Boxing offers classes for competitive boxers, or for fitness only,
Competitive boxers are required to participate in full-contact sparring. Although there are sparring classes, certified athletes may spar at any time with permission from a certified coach. There is no specific class for soft sparring, although some of the boxing classes introduce participants to technical practice with another member.
Private lessons are available.
Head Coach: Joe Manteiga
Assistant coaches and trainers? Yes
Structured classes? Yes, required for beginners
Soft sparring classes? No
Fitness classes? No, technical boxing classes only
Certified by: Boxing Ontario
Sully's is a traditional boxing gym.
Beginners are taught in a structured format, and open training is available for intermediate and advanced level boxers.
There are no specific soft sparring classes, and competitive boxers may participate in hard sparring while in the presence of a certified coach.
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Corrections needed? Contact me.
STOCKYARDS BOXING GYM
OCTOBER 10, Tickets available soon, card TBA
NOVEMBER 21, Scheduled, TBA
BLOOR STREET FITNESS
OCTOBER 3, Tickets available soon, card TBA
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"Comments From the Blue Corner" is published twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
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"The Brick" is looking for opponents for October 10 and November 21 at George Bell Arena in Toronto.
If you are a registered Master, in Novice Division, 81 kg Class, and want to take on "The Brick", contact myself or Coach Richard Soucé at Stockyards Boxing.
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"The Brick"
