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Bad To The Bonz Boxing

BAD TO THE BONZ BOXING CLUB

Just off the freeway on the outskirts of Modesto, CA, is Bad to the Bonz Boxing Club, named for professional boxers, Joey "Li'l Bad" Garcia and Tony "Bonz" Avila. In April of 2003 Avila had turned professional after working out for many years at the local public gym alongside his dad, Tony, who is not a boxer, but knows the ins and outs of good training. With this step they both lost their welcome at the gym they had previously called home.

At the same time their friend, Joey Garcia, who subsidizes his boxing career with his earnings as a telecommunications contractor, had trained in San Jose for the last two years. Garcia, married with two children, is now 28 and has been competing since he was 12. He says he learned from the best trainers in Northern California - Candy Lopez, coach of the 2000 Olympic Boxing Team and Robert Salinas, coach of Kings Boxing Gym in Oakland. In 1995 Garcia was on the National Team and ranked #2 in the nation in the 112 weight class as an amateur. He has 20 pro fights to his credit, but has taken time off to focus on keeping the Bad to the Bonz Boxing Club growing.

Both Garcia and the senior Tony Avila share a dedication to kids and the sport of boxing, so it was natural that they join forces to provide a wholesome atmosphere for both. It was their conviction that there needed to be a place that gave direction for life and helped kids get off the streets by teaching the fundamentals of boxing, both aerobic and anaerobic, bag drills, etc. They say it is a misconception that boxing is all about getting in the ring. Most of their kids are just learning the sport and how to defend themselves. A very important factor for them is the option of scholarships to colleges such as Northern Michigan University, which is the primary goal for one of their hardworking boys.

Avila's daughter is a teacher and her husband a counselor. They frequently send troubled kids to the Gym, knowing they are going to a place where they will get one-on-one attention, not just a place to exercise. It only took a week for one boy who was having trouble in his foster home. When asked for his best success story, Garcia's reply was, "They're all success stories! People walk in and know we're different."

Bad to the Bonz Boxing Club is open from 4 to 8 Monday through Friday. On any given day there may be up to 45 people working out - a couple of them professionals. At the Gym there is no discrimination as to race, age, gender, or skill. There are a lot of women. Ages range from about 46 to five-year old Carmen, who comes with her brother Eddie.

Saturdays may find many of the participants at competitions. The first will be in Sacramento Feb 5, with another in San Jose Feb 12. There are a dozen girls signed up including Cecily Dela Rosa, 13 years old, who intends to be registered for San Jose. Garcia's eight-year old son has been among the competitors for the Gym.

There is a modest monthly fee, but Avila and Garcia confide that they don't turn anyone away for lack of that. Garcia recalls when he was getting started how hard it was to get the $10 a month needed. Avila states they pay it from their own pockets and out of their hearts. A friend of his donated the mats.

At 2000 square feet Bad to the Bonz Boxing Club isn't as big as the hearts supporting it, but the owners have opted to have a place with no strings attached and the freedom to help kids get a direction in life that they have found for themselves and want to share.