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Just Like B. Hop: Joe Hand Gym Produces Champions of All Ages


One of the biggest problems facing the youth of major cities like Philadelphia is a lack of viable after school programs. Sure, money is a big factor and sports and art programs are generally the first to go when budget cuts come down, but now even librarians have been laid off at an alarming rate. An article from The Philadelphia Inquirer states in 1991 the Philadelphia School District had a total of 176 “certified” librarians. When the article ran this past February, it states there were only 11 for 218 schools.

Without basic educational resources, like librarians, it can be tough for the youth of Philadelphia  to successfully navigate a concrete jungle ready to snatch you up with one wrong step to make a positive life.

“If you don’t teach [kids] as a parent, the streets are definitely going to teach them,” Dan Davis said. He’s a trainer at Joe Hand Gym (543-547 N. 3rd St.)in Northern Liberties. Dan had a successful career as an amateur boxer and even more success as a trainer. He’s worked with Bernard Hopkins and many other world class boxers. The rough-and-tumble nature of this city makes boxing a perfect sport for kids to channel some aggression and learn discipline. Rocky may be one of the most notable icons of Philly boxing, but Bernard Hopkins, Joe Frazier and many others are the true embodiment of what Philly boxing is.

Dan Davis, Left, and John Davis, Right, Are a Father and Son Duo Producing Champions at Joe Hand Boxing Gym

Dan Davis, Left, and John Davis, Right, Are a Father and Son Duo Producing Champions at Joe Hand Boxing Gym

 

Joe Hand Gym was founded by Joe Hand Promotions in 1983. It’s the official home gym of Hopkins and serves as a place for inner city kids to learn boxing, fitness and computer skills. In August 2015, the gym sent three athletes to the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. Shamar Fulton, 19, and Kyree Williams, 11, won gold and a world championship. Eli Knight, 11, also won a silver medal in a match that impressed everyone.

“Eli is a hard hitting kid,” John Davis, Eli’s trainer, said. John works with his father, Dan Davis, and together they’re producing champions. “Eli fought a kid with a lot of experience, and he lost, but I’m so happy that he fought and he got to where he got to,” John said.

With each tournament victory, additional pressure is placed on to the next fighter to win their match. “Pretty Boy started everything,” Dan said, referring to Kyree’s nickname at the gym, with a notable rise in excitement. “He won and put the pressure on Eli. When he won, it put the pressure on Shamar.”

Joe Hand Boxing Gym is the Home of Bernard Hopkins and has a World Class Assortment of Boxing and Fitness Equipment

Joe Hand Boxing Gym is the Home of Bernard Hopkins and has a World Class Assortment of Boxing and Fitness Equipment

The trip to Kansas City brought the trainers and fighters closer together and proved to be a great experience aside from the victories. “We all slept in one room. We were a family. It was 5 of us on the floor, on the bed,” Dan said. “We fought like a family and went to the championship like a family,”

The Spirit caught up with Shamar Fulton after an intense workout.

“When I first step in the ring, the first thing that’s going through my mind is, ‘can I knock this guy out?’” Fulton said. “I like to knock people out so I’m pretty much more of a power fighter.” Fulton also understands that it takes discipline to stay calm and overcome the anxiety of fighting. “I try to stay calm… don’t force it. I just try to relax as much as I can.” The tournament is physically challenging and forces the boxers to fight four fights in a row. “The hardest part is getting through every day. By the time I got to the championship, your body is so sore.”

Fulton previously trained at Upper Darby Boxing Gym but attributes his recent success to Joe Hand Boxing Gym. “Down here the competition is way higher,” Fulton said. “I love this gym because it pushes me.”

Shamar Fulton, 19, Works the Bag with Trainer Dan Davis Keeping an Eye on His Form

Shamar Fulton, 19, Works the Bag with Trainer Dan Davis Keeping an Eye on His Form

He also thanks his dad and his trainers, John and Dan Davis, for helping him to win a world championship and be a better disciplined man. “When I first came down here, I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I just liked to fight,” Fulton said. “Winning this tournament brings joy to my life, and it gives me something to look forward to and keep pushing to get better. Those three guys have made me be a better man, and discipline myself inside and outside the boxing gym.”

Joe Hand Gym emphasizes success in school as well as giving 100 percent in the ring. “Education is first,” according to Dan. He pointed out that on Tuesdays and Thursdays a retired professor comes to the gym for two hours to help out the kids. Dan also requires his students to show him their report cards. “If your report card isn’t up to par, I still tell the parents to bring them and they go in the computer room and do their homework. If it takes until the next semester for them to get their grades up, they still have to come. That’s what the structure of Joe Hands Boxing Gym provides.”

Shamar Fulton Takes a Minute to Show His World Champion Pose

Shamar Fulton Takes a Minute to Show His World Champion Pose

Dan and John feel that the skills their students learn at the gym will prepare them to be the best man they can be outside of the ropes.

“If you want to be able to be smart in the ring, you have to be able to be smart outside the ring.” John said. “I think boxing is a sport, and it’s a disciplined sport… To be able to not fall down when you take a loss, to be able to still be the man you were, whatever the case may be.”

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