SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A boxing gym in Lackawanna County reopened Friday after state funding allowed them to make some much needed upgrades.

The gym gives kids an opportunity to break into the sport for free- aiming to teach discipline, confidence, and keep kids off the streets.

For more than 30 years, the Irish Boxing Club inside Scranton’s Weston field has given local kids and teens a place to learn and practice boxing for free. But to those who use the gym, it’s not just about the boxing. It’s about learning discipline, building confidence, and fostering a community of like-minded people.

“Before I came here I was very lonely and depressed, I didn’t fit in anywhere. Now I come to the gym, I feel like I have a home, I feel like I belong somewhere,” 16-year-old Jaaz Anihleak of Scranton said.

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“It gives kids a purpose, something to work towards. You never know what kids are going through in school or whatever, having struggles in life. But going to the boxing club, it’s like a home,” Cahir Gormley, a two-time National Boxing Champion from Ireland, said.

Gormley has been boxing since he was 10 and has spent time training at the club in recent years. He will be making his professional boxing debut in Philadelphia this March.

Recently the gym received more than $27,000 in state funding, allowing them to upgrade equipment like mats, bags and gloves. It has also allowed them to change the layout, moving heavy bags into a room of their own and giving the students more room to breathe. Former boxer and current state senator Marty Flynn began boxing at the gym when he was 18 and says steering funds towards it was a no brainer.

“This is like a classroom for kids, it teaches you discipline, hard work, what you put in is what you’re gonna get out. And that’s just some of the life lessons that boxing teaches you,” Flynn said.

“Growing up, you know, we didn’t have the most money so to be gifted stuff like that it’s awesome. It’s great that we have the ability now to reward them for their hard work,” Gene Reed, Irish Boxing Club’s founder and head coach said.

The gym is open to all ages, but its focus lies on the youth- building physical and mental strength and preparing them for life both in and out of the ring. While some may view combat sports as something that drives people apart, those who use the gym says that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“People may think fighting may make you angry at each other or may push you guys away but fighting each other makes us closer,” Anihleak said.

After receiving the funding, the gym hopes to continue bringing people together for generations to come.

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