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Date: 2/22/2018
ENFIELD, CT – Boxing is an old school sport and that’s exactly the point of the Old School Boxing Gym that had its official grand opening on Feb. 17.
Owned and operated by Jennifer MacKenna and Jose Ortiz, the school teaches the basics of the “sweet science.”
Ortiz, who is the head trainer, is no stranger to teaching the art of boxing as he has operated similar gyms in Agawam and East Longmeadow. He explained to Reminder Publications that he moved to Enfield and thought the town would be a good location for a new gym and a place close enough for his clients to follow him.
Speaking of the sport, Ortiz said, “Boxing is in good shape right now.” This is because there has been an increase in boxing events for both professional and amateur fighters.
With the increase in interest in mixed martial arts fighting, Ortiz said MMA fighters come to him for training in boxing, which is one of the sports they must know, he explained.
The gym is attracting a wide variety of people, Ortiz noted. There are women who come to learn boxing in order to stay in shape or for self-defense. There are professional fighters using the gym for training.
“Everybody’s coming in,” he said.
Ortiz said the gym offers group classes as well as one-on-one training.
“Nobody is left out,” he said.
Part of the boxing’s attraction, Ortiz explained, is the discipline the sport requires. While Ortiz said boxing is fun, he added, “It gives you self-confidence … it gets you addicted.”
Young people who give boxing a try learn discipline that can serve them in other parts of their lives, he said.
The gym is located at 95 High St. and is open seven days a week from 3 to 9 p.m.
For more information, go to the gym’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OldSchoolBoxingMass.