Ready to Rumble; Jamestown Area YMCA Teen Center Scheduled to Host its First Local Boxing Show, Featuring Local Boxers, at Bemus Point Country Club

Located on the second floor of the Jamestown Area YMCA is the Teen Center, a youth outreach program designated by the organization to serve at-risk youth. The Teen Center provides local area children with a variety of different afterschool activities, one of them being the Teen Center Boxing Club, which is currently being coached by a pair of esteemed fighters, Joe Ortiz and Chip Swanson. Although kids in the program come and go, the lessons they are taught in the ring last a lifetime.

“To be able to compete at boxing, you actually have to work for a long time; it’s not like other sports where you practice for a couple weeks then go to a competition,” said John Barber, Teen Director at the Jamestown Area YMCA, as he spoke on the rigorous training regimen adopted by the athletes. “Many kids work for months and months in order to compete… it’s a pretty heavy workout without the quick benefit of competition.”

To be a successful boxer, one must be both physically and mentally prepared to fight with the same intensity from beginning to the end. For that reason, conditioning and mental-fortitude are often brought to the forefront of any boxing conversation. For a few resilient members of the Teen Center Boxing Club, many of whom will be making their first individual debut in a local ring, toughness is not an issue.

On Saturday, September 12, the Teen Center will be hosting “YMCA Boxing on the Green,” its first local boxing show, featuring local boxers, at the Bemus Point Country Club.

“Boxing is a unique sport that we don’t get a chance to see very often,” said Barber, as he commented on the rationale behind hosting the event for the community. “It (boxing) is a lot more than two people coming in the ring and trying to punch each other… There’s so much precision, technique and skill that goes into what they do; the show will be pretty remarkable to see live.”

In approximately two weeks time, four local boxers, and some from surrounding regions, will battle it out in a sport that requires a high level of fitness and commitment.

The main event will feature three-time Golden Glove winner and coach of the Boxing Club, Chip Swanson, as he takes on Dennis Romanowski, a police officer from Buffalo, in a rubber match. The series is currently knotted at one a piece; Ironically, this particular fight would not have been made possible if it were not for Chip and his contributions.

“Chip has really been instrumental in not only helping us get it (the boxing club) started, but even in doing this event,” said Barber, as he reflected on Chip’s accomplishments as a volunteer boxing coach. “The first year Chip was on board, he was actually our coach of the year… He just keeps going and he’s there for the kids; he really cares about them.”

According to Barber, Swanson and leadership go hand in hand.

“Chip always finds creative ways to contribute,” said Barber, listing off a bevy of the things Chip has done for the program. “He’s leading an adult boxing class at the Y, simply for the purpose of raising funds for the boxing club… We relocated in the building from upstairs to downstairs; he was right there the whole time. He’s a real leader.”

From the outside looking in, the average person wouldn’t even be able to tell that Swanson is not being paid for his efforts.

Needless to say, the Bemus Point native is doing what he loves.

“I love to box and I love to teach,” said Swanson, as he attempted to put things into perspective. “I’m trying to help these kids overcome what they’re going through in life. When you’re a teen, you need direction; you need something to keep you going.”

For the five to ten kids who actively participate in the program, that thing is boxing.

“I think it (boxing) teaches them a little discipline; it gives them some attention,” said Swanson. “I used to train in Dunkirk… the kids would come to the gym and their boxing instructor would yell at them. I noticed that the more they got yelled at, the more they smiled; they wanted the discipline and the attention.”

He continued.

“My wife and I went to a boxing awards banquet in Dunkirk. What really struck me was a lot of the kids didn’t have parents there to watch them get these awards…

I see the kids on the streets and they’re always smiling and waving… They are good kids… They just need to see another side of things. I just want to show them what a healthy life style can do.”

The upcoming event on September 12^th is his opportunity to do just that. “YMCA Boxing on the Green,” the areas first local boxing show, is intended to showcase some local talent while also raising funds for the YMCA’s Teen Boxing Club. The event will take place from 2-8 pm at the Bemus Point Country Club, with all proceeds going to the kids. Cost for attendance is 18 dollars presale and 20 dollars at the door.

“The YMCA stands for child development, healthy living and social responsibility,” said Swanson. “We try to instill that in all the kids that come down here.”

At the end of the day, Chip isn’t being paid a dime for his efforts; it’s a love for the sport and an appreciation for the well being of the youth that keeps him going. In his words, he gets more out of it than they do.