Dreams and Discipline

Boxing Program shapes young lives in West Philly

In West Philadelphia, where community efforts to curb violence and engage youth are always in demand, Dwight “Chef Wiz” Olds of the Philly youth nonprofit IDAAY has taken what you could call a “fight fire with fire” approach. He keeps kids safe by teaching them how to throw a punch (and then some).

As a former boxer and a dedicated mentor, Dwight founded a boxing program at Kipp West Elementary School to provide structure and discipline to local students. In the following interview, Dwight shares the journey of creating this program, its inspiration, and its positive impact on young lives.

From collaborating with boxing legends like Meldrick Taylor to involving the local community and tackling attendance problems, Dwight’s initiative goes beyond just teaching boxing techniques; it’s about building confidence, discipline, and brighter futures for the youth of West Philly.

How long ago did you start this program, and what’s the class schedule like?

We started last year at the beginning of Kipp West’s school year. After the administration reviewed the program, I spoke with some trainers and boxers, and it all came together.

We launched in February with a 16-class introductory program for both boys and girls from 5th to 8th grade. Since it was during the school year, we could only work with them for about 90 minutes, from 4 to 5:30 PM.

It was enough time to teach them some fundamentals, and I’d always give them homework. They would look up Philly boxers online, watch boxing videos on YouTube, and do physical activities like running and working on their footwork. This helped them progress much faster from class to class.

It’s great that girls are involved. How are they doing, and how are the classes overall?

Some of our best students are girls. They catch on quickly, sometimes even faster than the boys, which is impressive.

All the kids love the classes. You can see it in their smiles. There’s a hunger for learning, and their schoolwork has improved, too. We told them they couldn’t participate if they weren’t doing well in class, so they kept up with their schoolwork and grades.

What kind of exercises do you have them doing, and what equipment do they use?

We do push-ups, pull-ups, running, jumping rope, hitting the punching bag, and practicing footwork in the ring. They have gloves, mouthguards, and protective headgear. However, we don’t let them use the headgear at first because they want to start punching.

Are you doing any sparring yet, or is it more focused on fundamentals?

We want to take our time with the kids because boxing can be dangerous. We want to be very safe. We don’t do sparring in the first level of the program.

We will introduce some sparring in the second level, which starts in September. This year, we had a graduation for those moving to the next level, but we want to go slow.

How did your team of trainers, including Nate Riley, come together?

It was perfect timing with Nate. When we interviewed him for a job at IDAAY with the Community Crisis Intervention Program (CCIP), we discovered he was an avid boxer with great skills. He could’ve gone pro, but he spent time in jail, which derailed his career. However, he is passionate about helping young people and the community, so boxing was a natural fit for him. His extensive training and experience were invaluable in getting the program started.

In addition to Nate, we have Ronald Ruiz, a former professional boxer from Florida who has been in Philly for about five years. I work with Ronald in other areas, and we train together, so I knew he’d be a great addition. Nate also brought in his friend Chuck, an amateur boxer, to join our team.

I imagine boxing probably gives a kid confidence. What else do they get out of it?

Definitely, confidence, which carries over to trying other things. Discipline, as I said earlier. And listening and focus. You have to pay attention and focus because you might get hurt or hurt somebody else.

And, of course, physical health. Some kids were out of shape from sugary snacks and playing video games. Getting them moving makes a big difference physically and mentally. When you’re in shape, you’re more focused.

What kind of feedback have you heard from parents or teachers?

The parents are amazed. They say the kids come home tired but excited. They’re eager to learn boxing and often ask their parents to buy them their own gloves. They also take things seriously. A couple of kids had attendance problems, but that changed when they knew they had to attend class to stay in the program.

How is the program funded?

The main funding comes from Kipp West’s budget. We hope to expand the program this upcoming semester by collaborating with boxing gyms around the city. We’re trying to get meetings with people like Danny Garcia (DSG Gym), Joran and Derek “Bozy” Ennis (Philly’s Next Champ), and others. Philly is known for boxing, so we want to tap into that. We’ve received positive responses, including offers for equipment and potential funding streams.

Beyond becoming pro fighters, are there possible career opportunities in boxing?

While our program doesn’t offer direct career training in other fields, we hope that collaboration with local gym owners and boxing professionals could provide possible starting points in areas like physical therapy, training, nutrition, refereeing, sports agency, or promotion.

This is similar to what we aim for with the basketball programs at my nonprofit. It’s not just about the sport; it’s also about exploring different career paths that can arise from interacting with professionals in various fields.

So you said you got into boxing early. How did that happen?

My first experience with a contact sport wasn’t boxing; it was Wing Chun, a type of martial arts. I was maybe ten years old in 1990. It started because my uncle, who was ex-military, saw us kids in the neighborhood fighting all the time.

One day, he just said, “Y’all need to learn how to fight,” and that got us hooked. The classes channeled our energy into learning and discipline. Training together made us stick together. We had this bond. Some of us took it seriously and a few actually got into pro sports—boxing, MMA, basketball.

Unfortunately, we lost more guys to the streets and gun violence than we had success stories. Maybe it would have turned out differently for some of those guys if we had people like my uncle and other adults in the neighborhood who could keep helping us.

They had to work and didn’t have the time to train us after school. That’s why having paid positions in our boxing program is so beneficial. It turns mentoring into a job that helps the kids and improves the community.

The sad thing is, many people want to help young folks but can’t due to work commitments. As we continue to build our programs, we hope to involve more people and keep the positive momentum going.

ℹ️🥊LEARN MORE about the boxing program at Kipp West, start one at your local school, or explore other opportunities (such as basketball programs) for young people in your neighborhood, contact Dwight at 267-226-4183.

Ring Legends: Philly’s Greatest Boxing Champions

Philadelphia has long been a hotbed for exceptional boxing talent, producing numerous champions who embody the city’s gritty and determined spirit. In a 2019 article on TheFightCity.com, author Joshua Isard ranked the twelve greatest Philly boxing legends of all time. Here’s his top three (for the full list, see the original article here).

#3: Jersey Joe Walcott (1914 – 1994): Born “Arnold Raymond Cream” in Merchantville, New Jersey, was a renowned American heavyweight boxer. Known for his unorthodox style, Walcott’s career spanned over two decades. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial hardships and early career losses, he persevered and eventually became the world heavyweight champion in 1951 at the age of 37, making him the oldest man to win the title at that time. Walcott was admired for his resilience, skillful footwork, and powerful punching. After retiring from boxing, he served as the Sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey, and later as a referee for major boxing matches. Walcott passed away on February 25, 1994, leaving behind a legacy of determination and achievement in the sport.

#2: Joe Frazier (1944 – 2011): Joe Frazier became the embodiment of Philadelphia grit. Raised in the city that would shape his fighting spirit, Frazier’s relentless pressure-fighting style and devastating left hook made him a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. His rise to the top in the 1960s and 70s, highlighted by his victory over Muhammad Ali in the legendary “Fight of the Century” in 1971, solidified his place as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Frazier’s tough, no-nonsense approach both in and out of the ring earned him the respect and admiration of fight fans, particularly in his adopted hometown of Philadelphia. Even after his career ended, Frazier remained a symbol of the city’s blue-collar toughness, dedicating himself to training young fighters. Joe Frazier passed away on November 7, 2011, but his legacy as a Philly icon and one of boxing’s greatest champions continues to inspire.

#1: Bernard Hopkins (b. 1965): Hailing from the tough streets of North Philadelphia, Bernard Hopkins became one of the most disciplined and accomplished boxers in the sport’s history. Known as “The Executioner,” Hopkins turned his life around after a stint in prison, channeling his energy into boxing with an unmatched dedication. His career is marked by his record-breaking reign as the undisputed middleweight champion, holding the title for over a decade and successfully defending it 20 times — a record in the division. Hopkins’s Philly grit was evident in his methodical, tactical fighting style, which allowed him to outlast and outsmart opponents well into his 40s, culminating in him becoming the oldest world champion in boxing history at 49. Beyond his accomplishments in the ring, Hopkins’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and transformation, making him a true Philadelphia legend.

Agree? Disagree? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below. Read more about these skilled and dedicated boxers at the links, and please follow IDAAY for more updates, events, and opportunities to participate in this community-centered organization’s ongoing efforts to improve young lives. 

About IDAAY

Founded in 1991, the Institute for the Development of African-American Youth provides educational and cultural programs, as well as treatment and social services for African American youth, their families, and the broader community. IDAAY strives to reduce the high level of violence and other social problems that disproportionately affect disadvantaged youth in the Philadelphia area.

With a comprehensive range of services and programs, IDAAY empowers and uplifts disadvantaged African American youth, fostering resilience and promoting positive community engagement. Please consider donating your time and/or resources.

2305 N Broad St. (+ other locations across the city)
(215) 235-9110 | idaay.org
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