Boxing Training for Youth at Zuud 26 Club
On a typical weeknight, as dinner time approaches, nine boys gather at the Zuud 26 Boxing Club for their training session.
Kaden Lebray, the club owner, sends the group outside to run six laps around the building, cheerfully high-fiving them as they complete each lap.
This program encourages kids to step away from their screens and engage in essential physical activity, which is increasingly important in today’s tech-driven world.
Once they finish running and enter the gym, the boys exchange fist bumps with Lebray, all chanting “Together” as their fists connect, a mantra prominently displayed on the gym wall.
Kaden’s mission revolves around fostering unity among the participants. “Bringing people together is fundamental to my purpose,” he remarked. After their warm-up, the kids promptly remove their shoes and hit the mats for a series of sit-ups and push-ups—100 for the older boys and 50 for the younger ones.
Gym assistant Keyona Artis highlighted the importance of physical activity beyond school, noting that today’s youth are often sedentarized by early technology usage. “Physical exercise is essential not just for health but also for their mental wellbeing,” she stated, emphasizing that it allows boys to expend their abundant energy.
Following the warm-up, Kaden instructs the boys to put on their gloves and headgear. “What time is it?” he asks, prompting a lively response of “Show time!” from the kids. This moment sets a tone for action and focus as he molds their mindset.
Throughout the session, Kaden integrates discipline and personal development, addressing each child’s needs. Many of the kids, who often lack father figures, find a mentor and role model in him. “I am using boxing as a way to instill discipline in this multicultural group, and I cherish that,” Lebray stated, offering parents a simple invitation: “Bring ’em out.”
The classes are held four days a week at Zuud 26 Boxing Club, situated at 3011 Wooten Blvd., Units D and E. Parents interested in more information can contact Kaden Lebray directly at 919-437-9819.
