Testimonials From Our Referral Partners
H.J.S, Senior Staff Attorney, Referral Partner Org.
Referring my client to Beyond Boxing turned out to be absolutely pivotal, both for his juvenile justice case and for his overall well being. Prior to joining Beyond Boxing, my client appeared depressed and struggled with emotional regulation within his home.
The mentors, programming, and physical impact of boxing had a transformative impact on his mental health. The arguments at home decreased dramatically and his demeanor changed. Through Beyond Boxing, my client was able to grow and show who he really is - a motivated, confident young man who now has the skills to think before reacting.
Throughout the program, I was kept up to date on my client's progress and was able to use those reports to both encourage him and to seek a more favorable outcome for his delinquency matter.
I particularly enjoyed Andrew's collaborative nature, wanting to know of any issues in the community, school, home, or legally to ensure that he was addressing them and guiding the teens he works with.
Lamont Moran, Youth Advocate, Referral Partner Org.
I first learned about Beyond Boxing through one of my dedicated colleagues. We didn’t know much about it at the time — just a flyer and a conversation — but we saw it as an opportunity. An opportunity to give our youth something positive. Something structured. Something that could keep them off the streets and build them up.
That’s when I brought one of the youth members I work with to the gym as a new applicant.
He had never stepped foot in a boxing gym before. Honestly, neither of us knew what to expect. But the moment we walked through those doors, we were welcomed like family.
We met Andrew and the rest of the staff, and the energy was unmatched. Trainers, trainees, mentors, and mentees were all hands-on. It wasn’t just a gym — it felt like a community. A brotherhood. A safe space.
When we met Andrew, his passion was explosive. He explained the program with such clarity and vision that you couldn’t help but believe in it. He spoke about expectations, accountability, discipline, and growth — not just in boxing, but in life.
In that moment, I knew I brought our youth member to somewhere he could call home.
What stood out to me the most was when this young man opened up about his legal troubles. A lot of places hear “court date” and immediately create distance. But not Beyond Boxing. Andrew and his crew didn’t shy away — they embraced him even more. They saw beyond the mistake. They saw potential.
As time passed, I began receiving updates about how well this youth program member was doing. His discipline improved. His focus sharpened. His confidence grew. On the flip side, I kept hearing how committed and impactful the program truly was.
When Andrew learned about upcoming court dates, he didn’t hesitate. He and his team stepped up to the plate. They wrote letters. They showed up in court. They stood behind him — physically and emotionally.
That support spoke volumes.
Because of that collective effort, this young man was able to receive no jail time in his case. And I truly believe that outcome would not have been possible without the dedication of Andrew and the team at El Maestro Boxing Gym.
They didn’t just teach him how to throw punches.
They taught him how to stand tall.
Andrew and his crew showed me the true meaning of “Beyond Boxing.” It’s not just about what happens in the ring — it’s about who these young men become outside of it.
And this young man, in particular?
He found more than a gym.
He found a second chance.
Ruth O'Sullivan, Senior Director of Clinical Practice, CJI, 3x Golden Glove Champion
People often assume that the sole purpose of boxing gyms is teaching people how to fight, but they are much more than that. Boxing gyms teach us about discipline, humility, respecting and learning from our elders, understanding the connection between body, mind, and spirit, and most of all about community.
As a young immigrant in NYC, it was in a boxing gym that I developed my support system and learned how my daily habits impacted my performance and the way that I showed up in the world. These lessons spilled out into every area of my life. Beyond Boxing packages that experience for our youth, giving them a chance to overcome adversity and invest in a better future for themselves.
At Brooklyn Mental Health Court, we connected several participants to Beyond Boxing and they went over and above to be accommodating and reduce obstacles to participation. I also had the opportunity to run a youth boxing class in the park with Andrew for our young adults-everyone had a blast and talked about the experience for months to follow.
Boxing is a sport that resonates with our youth, and belonging is a fundamental human need, particularly during the adolescent years. Beyond boxing provides its participants with a chance to experience this sense of belonging , positive well-being, and hope for the future.
Testimonials From Our Coaches
Fernando Mateo, Beyond Boxing Mentor and Boxing Coach at El Maestro, INC.
My name is Fernando Mateo. I have been a coach for USA Boxing for approximately five years, and I have coached multiple youth champions across several divisions. I specialize in working with young adults who need guidance, kids and young adults who tend to react angrily or poorly, usually because they’ve never had anyone in their corner. As a result, they often adopt a “me vs. the world” mentality. On our team, it’s “us vs. the world,” and alongside my coaches and leaders, our programs help them navigate life.
Beyond Boxing has been a blessing. Andrew’s goals align with our own, and his program has been able to provide a much wider reach and a much louder voice for what I’m trying to provide to our communities, our youth, and our young adults.
I have been a part of two of Beyond Boxing's graduating classes so far, working with nearly 30 students in total. About half of those students still show up to our gym at least once a week. Two of them have had amateur bouts, and four more are looking to compete in June, 2026. These athletes have shown discipline, self-control, respect, hard work, and tenacity. The list can go on and on.
Beyond Boxing is a team effort. These kids become part of the team, and Coach Bryan, our team leader Andrew, and I lead by example. This program is truly one of one.
Bryan O'Connor, Beyond Boxing Mentor and Boxing Coach at El Maestro, INC.
Beyond Boxing is more than just a boxing program—it’s a positive, structured environment that
helps troubled youth find discipline, focus, and direction in their lives. Led by Andrew, the Director of Beyond Boxing, and supported by dedicated coaches Coach Fernando and myself, the program goes beyond physical training to instill accountability, respect, and self-control.
The coaches serve as mentors, teaching discipline and real-life lessons alongside boxing fundamentals, often reaching youth in ways traditional school settings struggle to achieve. Having personally gone through multiple programs myself, I can confidently say that if I had ever been given the opportunity to join a program like Beyond Boxing, it would have been the first one I chose.
Through consistent structure, focus, and positive guidance, Beyond Boxing helps young people build confidence, mental strength, and a sense of purpose, making it one of the most effective and impactful youth programs available.
Testimonials From Our Community Partners/Host Gym Owners
Ray Cuadrado, USA Boxing Metro President and Director of Brotherhood Boxing Club
My name is Ray Cuadrado, and I serve as President of USA Boxing Metropolitan, the local governing body for Olympic-style amateur boxing in the New York metropolitan area. I am also a coach and the pilot coach for the Beyond Boxing Program, working directly with young people enrolled in the program at the gym level.
My overall impression of Beyond Boxing is that it is a thoughtfully designed, values-driven program
that aligns naturally with the core mission of USA Boxing. It does not simply introduce young people
to boxing—it introduces them to structure, accountability, and mentorship through a sport that is uniquely demanding of personal responsibility. USA Boxing coaches represent some of the most credible mentors at-risk youth can work with.
Every registered coach is required to undergo background checks, SafeSport training, and adhere to a nationally enforced Code of Conduct. Beyond those formal requirements, most USA Boxing coaches bring years—often decades—of real-life experience working with youth in challenging environments. They understand how to balance discipline with empathy, structure with encouragement, and accountability with support.
The values reinforced daily in a USA Boxing gym discipline, respect, consistency, humility, emotional control, perseverance, and responsibility—are not theoretical concepts. They are lived experiences. Coaches hold themselves to the same standards they expect of their athletes, and that mutual accountability creates a powerful bond. Coaches see themselves in the young people they mentor and are deeply invested in seeing them emerge stronger, more confident, and more focused, both in and out of the gym.
Just as importantly, the young people enrolled in Beyond Boxing see themselves in their coaches.
They see individuals who have mastered a demanding sport through hard work and self-discipline, and they begin to aspire toward that same level of mastery. Boxing, by its nature, teaches that no one else can do the work for you. That lesson—personal responsibility—is transformative, particularly for youth who may not have had consistent role models or clear expectations in other areas of their lives.
Beyond Boxing has had a meaningful impact on our gym community. It has reinforced a culture of
mentorship, elevated standards of behavior and commitment, and provided a clear developmental
pathway for young adults who may otherwise lack structured outlets for growth. Participants show
increased consistency, confidence, respect for rules, and pride in their progress.
The partnership between Beyond Boxing and USA Boxing adds overwhelming value and legitimacy to the program. Through this partnership, Beyond Boxing participants benefit from USA Boxing’s established infrastructure, including comprehensive insurance coverage for clubs, coaches, and athletes; nationally recognized safety and governance standards; mandatory background screening and SafeSport education; and enforceable codes of conduct for both coaches and athletes.
This framework ensures that Beyond Boxing operates in a safe, professional, and accountable
environment, allowing coaches and participants to focus fully on development and growth. Ultimately, the relationship between Beyond Boxing and USA Boxing is truly symbiotic. Coaches are empowered to mentor with structure and support, while athletes are given the tools, expectations, and role models necessary to take ownership of their development. Each pushes the other forward. Together, they create an environment where young people are not just trained as boxers, but developed as disciplined, respectful, and responsible individuals.
USA Boxing Metropolitan is proud to support and partner with the Beyond Boxing Program, and I
strongly believe in its ability to create lasting, positive impact for the young adults it serves.
Fernando "Ponce" Laspina, Director of Centro Cultural Y Educativo, El Maestro, INC.
I have lived in the South Bronx since June 1970. I am Fernando "Ponce" Laspina, a former South Bronx gang leader, a former high school dropout who went back to school earning his GED at Elmira Correctional Facility, an Associate Degree in Arts from Eugenio de Hostos Community College in February 1980, a Bachelor of Arts from Lehman College in June 1982 and a master’s in arts and science from Buffalo State University in February, 1985. I have been running Centro Cultural Y Educativo, El Maestro, Inc. since January 2003. Centro Cultural y Educativo, El Maestro, Inc. is a non-profit organization (501 C3) whose mission is to improve the quality of life of the people of the South Bronx through athletic, cultural and educational programs.
- What are your impressions of Beyond Boxing?
Beyond Boxing is an amazing program helping those in need that others do not even dare to work with.
- What impact has the partnership with Beyond Boxing had on El Maestro?
The impact has been great.
Not only for the financial support but also to see new members/participants interacting with the rest of our membership.
- What has the impact been on the young adults enrolled in Beyond Boxing?
Most of the young adults from Beyond Boxing attend classes basically the whole week instead of their 2 assigned days.
They have learned very fast and are considered very important to our center.
- Additional Impressions?
Beyond Boxing is great for New York City.
El Programa de Beyond Boxing es todo un éxito y necesario para nuestra comunidad.
Sincerely,
Ponce Laspina
Testimonials From Our Graduates
Justin, 22, Beyond Boxing Graduate
Beyond Boxing has changed my life. In our society, young adults with a history of felonies are usually limited certain opportunities to learn and succeed. It often feels as if everybody turns away from us. But this program and its staff welcomed me and accepted me for who I am, and not who I’m perceived to be. I wasn’t judged for the mistakes I’ve made in the past; I was only seen for the potential of who I can become.
Not only have I built a strong, family like bond with many participants of the Beyond Boxing program and members of El Maestro boxing gym, I’ve also felt mentorship and learned a lot from Coach Fernando and Coach Bryan. Beyond Boxing offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a better, sharper, more disciplined version of yourself. It shows you how to be open minded and humble while also showing you how to control your aggression and emotions. This program helped me become the man I’ve always wanted to be and it’s a blessing to be a part of it!