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New downtown boxing club hopes to help inner city youth

BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW [email protected] Randall Hill and Terry Witzu cast their gaze on the downtown core.
BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW

Randall Hill and Terry Witzu cast their gaze on the downtown core.

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The Fight Club head coach Randall Hill, left, and president Terry Witzu are confident the new boxing centre will attract a lot of inner city youths.
They know what they're looking for.

Amidst the many faces in the crowds, they see hidden potential just waiting to be tapped.

The two eager men have recently opened The Fight Club, located in the heart of the city on Durham Street, in the old Games Room location, in the hopes of giving the youth of downtown and Sudbury a shot at realizing their potential.

"We opened with the intention of helping inner city youth, who can't transport themselves to other boxing centres, realize their dreams and goals," said Hill, head coach. "We felt there was a need for an affordable boxing club in Sudbury. I grew up in New Sudbury, and we had Roller Country, Adanac Ski hill, and a million other opportunities to do stuff. I find today, there's not a lot for the youth to do."

Hill and Witzu want every person who walks through the doors of the club to feel it's their own home away from home.

"This is a place where the youth can call it their own," said Hill. "When they join, we will encourage them to pick a spot on the wall and sign their name."

The Fight Club features a boxing ring, numerous heavy bags and speed bags, and exercise equipment to shape and define hungry muscles.

Inside the club, a feeling of passion and dedication can be felt. The men, along with numerous volunteers, put in hours of sweat and blood to bring The Fight Club to reality.

They transformed the location into something right out of a Rocky movie.

The club is bare bones, and only supplies the necessary elements a potential devoted boxer needs to become a champion.

Hill and Witzu are looking for youngsters, possessed with a bright inner fire burning, to hit the heavy bags and weights.

"We will expect dedication and discipline," said Hill. "They will have to apply themselves, but they will reap great rewards with the devotion. We
want the kids who walk through our doors to set goals and standards for themselves, and create a better all-around person."

Witzu used boxing in his younger days as a means to get him on a positive track. He hopes the club will make a positive difference in many youngster's lives.

"Boxing got me off the streets and turned my life around," said Witzu, club president. "It made me feel proud of myself, and it was something I have kept with me my whole life."

The club caters to Olympic-style boxing, where skill and precision are rewarded as opposed to brawling.

Besides unbridled passion, both men bring extensive experience for youth to call upon.

Hill has completed the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) with a Level III certification and has coached elite level athletes and brought many to major international competitions.

Witzu has been in over 70 professional contact fights. He's the former World Champion in Open Invitation Karate. Witzu is currently working on his
NCCP coaching levels.



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