LYNN — Private Jewels Fitness in Lynn has been training boxers for years now, with a number of championship fighters coming out of the gym. And this weekend, two more young boxers will step into the ring to represent the gym and the city of Lynn.
Lynn native Malik Johnson, 13, and South Boston native Bobby Rehm, 11, will both compete in the 2020 Silver Gloves Northeast Regional Championships this Saturday and Sunday at the Utica Center for Development in Utica, New York. Both fighters have trained at Private Jewels for about a year now, and trainer Alex Sepulveda has seen an explosion of growth with both young men.
“The process with these guys has been unbelievable,” said Sepulveda, a Lynn native who owns Private Jewels. “The kids listen, they have the heart of a champion and they work extremely hard. There’s not much more you can ask for from young boxers.
“If you tell them to be here at 6, they’re here at 5:30, that’s just the kind of kids they are,” Sepulveda continued. “That’s really what’s helped them get so good, so fast.”
One of the biggest reasons for the accelerated growth, according to Sepulveda, is the atmosphere at the gym. Private Jewels trains a host of fighters of all ages, from young beginners to seasoned professionals. Lynn native Rashida Ellis, who is set to compete for Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this summer, also trains at the gym.
“It’s a professional atmosphere here, we don’t baby these guys,” said Sepulveda. “If they want to be the best, they have to train like it and that’s what they learn here. They see the older guys putting in the work and they see that’s what it takes.”
Johnson, who most recently fought last month, has been training hard for the regional. He’s in the gym every day putting in work to prepare.
“I love it, but at the same time I hate it,” Johnson said of training. “I hate running and hitting the bag and all that stuff, but when I fight, all that stuff helps me so it’s worth it.”
Johnson is set to fight in the 13-14-year-old intermediate division at a weight of 100 pounds against Taraj Crawford, the sectional champion from New York.
“I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie,” said Johnson. “But I’ve been preparing for a long time and I feel pretty confident.”
As for Rehm, who also fought last month, he makes the trip from South Boston four times a week to work out at Private Jewels.
“It’s a little hectic since I live kind of far away, but when I’m here I just try to work as hard as I can to prepare for my fight,” said Rehm. “The training is tough, but you have to do it. I have friends who didn’t train enough and they lost their fights, so I don’t want to end up like that too.”
Rehm is set to fight in the 11-12-year-old bantam division at a weight of 80 pounds. His opponent is yet to be determined, as New York sectional champions Lavone Peak and Francesco Alagna will face off first to decide who gets the open spot.
“I’m really excited for my own fight, but I’m also excited to watch Malik’s fight and all the other fights,” Rehm said. “It’s going to be really fun.”
Johnson is set to fight Saturday afternoon, with the specific time to be determined. The fights will run from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Rehm will fight on Sunday at a time to be determined. The fights will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.