TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo woman is using her boxing success to teach young people not only how to punch but how to stay focused and out of trouble.
Clarice Morales is a professional boxer who is helping between 50 and 60 kids every day through her summer youth empowerment program at Soul City Gym.
Soul City Boxing Gym is an anti-gang and anti-violence 501c3 organization located in central Toledo.
"What we do over here at Soul City. We treat all the kids like family. We look out for them like our own kids," said Morales.
Morales is using her 2 years of experience in the boxing ring to show today's young men and women that there's a better way to success.
"Keep them out of trouble for sure and to show them it's a different path and they don't always have to go out in the streets to look for something to do or learn a new skill," said Morales.
13-year-old James Bragg III who is one of the top boxers in his age group in the country, and one of the participants in the boxing program at Soul City.
"It's great because we got actually good mentors here that teach them with behavior and boxing," said Bragg.
Ezekiel McSwine agrees there is a need for a program like Morales'.
"It has helped me a lot in my skills and more so behavior-wise because they do teach bad kids around this area," said student Ezekiel McSwine.
Morales says this is just her way of giving back and she is happy to share skills she learned at a young age and pay forward to the next generation.
"We just try to help the community as much as we can and keep it growing. The youth is definitely the future," said Morales.
Morales' summer boxing program is held Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Soul City Boxing Gym at 801 Junction Ave.
You can call Soul City Boxing at 313 720-7800 for more information about the free program.
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