'Dream come true:' Milwaukee youth boxing club receives full makeover from J.A.Y. Academy, Adidas

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Stacks and stacks of gleaming trophies line the walls of Milwaukee's United Community Center Boxing Club (UCCBC).

In the middle of the room sits the prized ring. To its left, a handful of punching bags hang from the ceiling. On the right, brightly colored boxing gloves sit empty, just waiting to be filled by the hands of a young fighter.

The UCCBC serves more than 100 boys and girls in the community on an average monthly basis. 

Thanks to generous contributions from J.A.Y. Academy, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit, and Adidas, those youth can now train with brand-new equipment, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

On Friday, Oct. 14, dozens gathered in the club to test out the complete makeover, complete with a local DJ and refreshments.

Head coach Angel Villarreal Jr. said receiving the state-of-the-art gear was "overwhelming" and at the same time, "a dream come true" for not only himself but the kids that he helps train.

"It's unbelievable. It just usually doesn't happen this way," Villarreal Jr. said. "This is their second home, I mean they go to school and then they're here all night. To have the gym be decorated like this, with all the items and everything, and our history, it's really exciting for everybody."

Shake James with J.A.Y. Academy said the youth are "champions inside and outside the ring" who deserved to see the club transform.

"The goal of the gym is to create some champions and to teach these kids some discipline and keep building community," James said. "I'm super pro-Milwaukee. I know it's crime and stuff and things happen everywhere. But we need to start amplifying the good stuff."