Claressa Shields Offers Free Boxing Opportunities to Flint Area Youth<\/h2>\n
Zachary Klingenpeel <\/em><\/p>\n Mt. Morris, Michigan – Approximately 90 children and youth ages 7 and up lined up inside AT Fitness and practiced jabs to the rhythm.<\/p>\n Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed women’s world middleweight champion, watched the punches, helped guide the kids and walked the line.<\/p>\n As the kid lowered his hand to his chest after the jab, Shields tapped his glove on his temple to indicate he had left his face vulnerable.<\/p>\n Shields is no stranger to bringing the art of boxing back to her community.<\/p>\n In the past, Shields has hosted free lessons at the same gym, including this year’s summer program. Shields kicked off a new round of free lessons at his gym in Morris Township on Monday, January 9th.<\/p>\n “Boxing saved my life, boxing changed me and made me a better person,” Shields said. \u201cSo I want to be able to give back to the community here in Flint. There are so many kids who need an outlet for their anger and stress, just a counselor. I want to build both physically and mentally.”<\/p>\n Boxing lessons are held Monday through Friday from 5pm to 7pm. In his first two days, students learned the basic punches of boxing, including jabs, uppercuts and hooks.<\/p>\n The program is free to students, but Shields Community Outreach Corporation accepts donations from families and other community members participating in the program.<\/p>\n Donations included boxing gear such as gloves, wraps, and cash donations.<\/p>\n Shields has ambitions to expand the program to help children learn to compete in boxing matches.<\/p>\n “Some of the kids here really have a lot of potential and can really fight in the ring,” Shields said. I want to go and let them travel.”<\/p>\n The program has itineraries that help children from learning the basics to working with gloves on the ring.<\/p>\n A team of Shields and volunteers from the Flint area boxing community assisted small groups of students in various phases of the program.<\/p>\n “I am delighted that the Flint and Beecher communities trust me with their children and know that I wish the best for the entire Genesee County,” she said. I want all these kids to just be great.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh-QZLvrNM_2-je6U73VMvxo0HnZ83oiC-LFSdeG1Rk9ilRfnk7tIt0ExRSGemBnimIB1Nearm-Y8xaIvQrqwRIqzjDTxIDpYSy0OAXjv0k2SHaikdZdlQjPOdNXDEgcujOj5BXj7lRbpKZ7M13WThM3amltPq925Jp3Ohq7OZUD3l3mQ_WS2Ag6Llncg\/s320\/HORFA%20Advert.jpg\"\/)
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