Lynn boxing club 2 years without a home

Ward 7 Councilor Rick Ford has been searching for a home for the Rivera Brother’s Boxing Club for nearly two years without luck and his frustration level is growing.”Every council meeting I ask for help with finding space,” he said. “I’ve talked to (Economic Development Industrial Corporation Executive Director James) Cowdell and (Community Development Director James) Marsh, and still nothing.”Alex Rivera appreciates everything Ford has done in searching for a home for the group, but he is not completely sure he wants Ford to succeed.”I’m in Somerville now,” he said. “They were kind enough to offer space. The mayor has been one of our main providers ? it’s a tough situation.”Rivera is the only one of three brothers left running a local gym. Albert Rivera is running a boxing club in Puerto Rico and Alex Rivera has a gym in Coco Beach, Fla. The Riveras had a club on Columbia Avenue for a number of years, where they coached for free, but they lost the building. Alex Rivera said even today he’s not sure what happened that forced them to leave but the equipment, two rings, heavy bags, speed bags and mirrors are all in storage waiting for a new space.Promises were made then broken for another location and when the opportunity came for him to use the Somerville Boxing Club, Rivera said he took it.Rivera said a handful of his boxers came with him but most couldn’t make the trek to Somerville. Those who went include Rashidi and Rashida Ellis, both national champion fighters, and “Peachy,” who recently won a bout in Puerto Rico making it his 10th straight win.Of the ones left behind, three found serious trouble. One was shot and killed, another stabbed and a third was recently arrested on rape charges, Rivera said.”When I had the gym in Lynn I had no kids getting in trouble,” he said. “If they think that is a small percentage of the violence, at least I took it off the street. I gave them a place to go.”Rivera said he gave his fighters, both male and female, more than just lessons, he gave them a family.”I opened my house to them,” he said.With the gym closed roughly 80 kids were left with nowhere to go and no outlet for their energy.Ford said whenever he sees a building for lease that might fit the bill he makes a call but he has yet to find the space large enough or within the club’s price range.”They have insurance, the kids are good kids, they make them pull their pants up, there’s no graffiti, they’re really respectful,” he said. “I’m afraid people have a hard time believing that.”Ford said he would continue to look for a space for the gym and Rivera said he would remain open to the idea of returning but he admitted he was torn.”I love Lynn, I trained national champions from Lynn,” he said. “But Somerville took us in like strangers into their house and made us feel at home ? I wish Lynn was like that.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].