{"id":104525,"date":"2026-01-19T11:06:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/104525\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T11:06:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T11:06:07","slug":"how-a-staten-island-boxing-gym-is-helping-those-with-disabilities-build-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/104525\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Staten Island boxing gym is helping those with disabilities build confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 A local boxing gym is making a big difference in the lives of kids and adults with disabilities \u2014 by boosting confidence and creating a safe space while training.<\/p>\n

In August 2024, Nicholas DeMarco, who owns DeMarco\u2019s Boxing Club, and Salvatore Mosomillo, a social worker and mental health therapist, joined forces to create Camp by DeMarco\u2019s Boxing. <\/p>\n

DeMarco explained he was already offering boxing services at his club to people with disabilities, especially those on the autism spectrum. After getting \u201camazing feedback\u201d from the parents, he spoke with Mosomillo, who works with kids with autism and intellectual disabilities, to expand training services even further.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe parents \u2014 knowing me and my credibility with the people \u2014 and having Sal\u2019s background gives the parents even more confidence in sending the kids and young adults,\u201d said DeMarco.<\/p>\n

\"Demarco'sDaniel Block, 28, of Arden Heights works the speed bag at Demarco’s Boxing Club in Tottenvile on Tuesday, Jan.13, 2026. (Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

Mosomillo said there is a misconception that boxing is dangerous, and that such behaviors could be mimicked. But boxing helps kids release stress and anxiety, he said. Mosomillo\u2019s background in mental health helps kids focus and improve emotional regulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe help them improve their focus, we help them improve their confidence …,\u201d said Mosomillo. \u201cHaving these kids just be able to walk around with their head held high and be confident, I think that to me is just a wonderful thing. And be able to learn how to increase their self-awareness and learn how to defend themselves is something that I specifically take pride in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mosomillo recalled a recent moment when a mother thanked him for helping her son boost his confidence through training. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s stuff like that that really I take such pride in to see, these families loving how their children are interacting with the world,\u201d said Mosomillo. \u201cAnd then also on top of it, coming out of the gym feeling so strong and confident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Demarco'sNicholas Pesce, 9, of Rossville works out at Demarco’s Boxing Club in Tottenville on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.(Advance\/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)<\/p>\n

DeMarco added that boxing gives tremendous self-confidence, and that the club provides a \u201csafe space\u201d for kids with disabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of them don\u2019t really socialize or interact that much, so now we also give them the safe space to come in and make new friends and meet new people and feel that they have maybe a second home or a cool place to hang out,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a bigger gym, so now they\u2019re also interacting with possible amateur fighters and other kids that maybe play high school sports. So it\u2019s a sense of community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pair offer boxing services to kids of all ages, as young as 4 years old, to adults with disabilities. Depending on how well a child follows instruction and how well they understand, they can try out a session for 30 minutes to determine if they are ready.<\/p>\n

DeMarco noted he\u2019s trained many adults and kids, and the facial expressions and appreciation are \u201cgratifying on another level.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a community, in terms of having all these kids feel like they have a place they belong,\u201d said Mosomillo. \u201cI feel a lot of places want sometimes for the money, but I feel like what me and Nicky do, it\u2019s for the passion, it\u2019s for the love of the kids, it\u2019s for the love of the community itself. It\u2019s really to help all these kids in general, whether it\u2019s special needs or amateur fighters, to really gain a sense of pride in what they do and a sense of belonging.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeMarco\u2019s Boxing Club, along with Camp by DeMarco\u2019s Boxing, is located at 140 Main St., in Tottenville. For more information, you can go to the website, campbydemarcos.com<\/a>, visit the club during normal operating hours, email CAMPByDemarcosBoxing@gmail.com, or find them on Instagram at @CAMP_By_DemarcosBoxing<\/a>.<\/p>\n