PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Young people looking for a positive outlet and a safe space have found both inside a boxing ring in Prince George's County. They build self-esteem, community spirit, and muscles at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center.
The county police department teamed up with the organization Heels Off, Gloves On to make sure these young boxers have everything they need to succeed.
Police Chief Malik Aziz dropped by the gym with a $1,000 donation on Thursday. The money will go toward getting the kids new boxing shoes and other equipment.
"This is the saving of the future. This is crime prevention," Aziz said. "This is the greatest outlet that we can have for moving a community forward."
The partnership between the police department and Heels Off, Gloves On came about when Assistant Police Chief Vernon Hale III saw a boxer in the program without proper shoes on.
"He sees one of our young boxers with a hole in his shoe and he says we gotta do something about that," Aziz explained.
For the police department, it's about bridging the gap between young people and officers in the community. For the boxers at Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center, it's a boost.
"It feels good because I can wear real boxing shoes and I can show them to my parents so they don't have to pay for them," said one boxer WUSA9 spoke with. "Boxing's been a big thing for me. It keeps me out of the streets."
The young boxer said he hopes he can keep improving in the ring.
"Once I get better I could help people like my coach and my pops, who helped me," the young man said. "I could help them back, and help the community."
For more information about the Heels Off, Gloves On Boxing Foundation, click here.