LYNN — A group of local boxers and coaches from Lynn’s Private Jewels Fitness was honored with city citations on Wednesday evening.
City councilors Pete Capano, Brian LaPierre, Rick Starbard and Jay Walsh visited the group at Private Jewels to honor them for their efforts in representing Lynn in national boxing tournaments.
“It’s beautiful. This is one of the big reasons that these kids fight for,” Alex Sepulveda, who owns Private Jewels and oversees the gym’s boxing program, said. “They have a city that they represent and they fight for. When they travel across the country they know that they have a city to fight for. That’s what makes a great boxer a great boxer. They have a city that backs them up. It gives them energy and pushes them. It means everything to them to be appreciated.”
The boxers that were honored were Furcy Ferreras, Aramis Maldonado and Moises Zorrilla of Lynn, Charlie Espinal and Ricky Pacheco of Salem, and Zach Calmus of Marblehead.
“They deserve it,” Sepulveda said. “I wouldn’t be with them traveling across the country and taking their corner if I didn’t know they earned it and deserve it. They tell me they have a dream and it’s my job as a mentor to show them that dream is reachable but they have to work hard for it. This recognition they’re receiving means a lot because it gives them a motive and strength to keep going.”
Sepulveda, who trains each of them, hopes the recognition motivates his boxers to continue to push themselves in the ring.
“This shows the kids that they’ve done something special but they want to keep going,” Sepulveda said. “It keeps a fire in them and hopefully they have a lot more to show. These kids want to keep going.”
Also honored with citations were Private Jewels boxing coaches Alex and Yamil Sepulveda, Jodie Adams and Patty Herlihy. Sepulveda credited his fellow coaches for playing a key role in the boxing program’s success.
“These coaches have helped me a lot through all the traveling,” Sepulveda said. “There’s so much training that we have to go through, so many events and fights that we have to cater to. We have to train our boxers through all of that. There’s so much that goes through the olympic training. Everything goes by the book to keep the program. There’s a lot of work that comes with it but the coaches have helped me the whole way, whether it’s when they’re traveling with me or staying at the gym while I’m traveling with the kids.
“It’s a beautiful connection,” Sepulveda added. “We work together and we don’t get in one another’s way. This is one of the only gyms that works together as one unit and not against one another. There’s a beautiful connection between all the coaches.”
Sepulveda noted that there’s plenty to keep his group busy in the coming weeks. This weekend, he’ll be coaching a group of youth boxers, including his 8-year-old son Alex Jr., making a trip to Vermont for a showcase. In June, Sepulveda will bring the second annual “King of the Ring” tournament to Lynn.
