BUTCHER SHOP BOXING GYM

By Kathy Fox

Whenyou hear the words Butcher Shop, you most likely think of a big fat juicy steak. However, at Butcher Shop Boxing, you will not find any steaks just a lot of grit and determinedness. One might ponder how the gym got the name Butcher Shop Boxing and the explanation is quite simple. Jon Boucher, owner and founder of the gym, is an avid boxer and currently holds three National Championship Belts in USA Masters Boxing’s light heavyweight division. In French, his last name translates to butcher. So there you have it, Butcher Shop Boxing. Voilà!

Boucher originally opened the gym in Spring Hill, Tennessee, in 2020. With a focus on providing a good cardio experience while teaching the art of boxing to adults and children, they quickly outgrew that location and in May 2021, moved to a new location in Columbia. Their passionate community is driven by a love for footwork, body movement, and punching techniques prioritizing these over mundane treadmills and weightlifting. By engaging in training sessions, individuals not only enhance their physical fitness but also acquire the necessary skills to defend themselves in challenging situations. Whether you are a novice, a seasoned fighter preparing for your next bout, or simply seeking an exceptional cardio workout, Butcher Shop Boxing has a class for you!

As a USA certified coach, Boucher is also SafeSport certified and currently holds three National Championship Belts in USA Masters Boxing’s light heavyweight division. Boucher recently started the Butcher Shop Boxing Project, a 501(c) nonprofit organization, with the mission to foster confidence, physical well-being, and mental health through coaching, mentorship, and competitive involvement. By embracing the sport of boxing and the strong bonds it cultivates, Boucher and the coaches, Jerome Coffee and Elijah Jewson, provide a positive alternative to unproductive lifestyles that often lead to delinquency, substance abuse, and alcohol misuse. This is where everyone who wants to prepare and seize this transformative opportunity and learn boxing is welcome.

With unwavering dedication, the Butcher Shop Boxing Project’s open gym aims to make a significant positive impact in the community. “We have been doing this for three years now, but the cost of running a gym is higher than what we could charge people,” explained Boucher. “We didn't want to turn anyone away and there were kids who simply couldn’t afford it, but offered to clean the bags, mop the floors, or something so they could participate. Finally, this year with the help of my wife and Coaches Coffee and Jewson we established a nonprofit. This allows us to include anyone who wants to join, train, and compete to do just that. When we go to travel events, we pay the entry fees and get on a bus so there is nothing that is going to stop these kids from participating in a competition.”

Boxing can play a significant role in the transition from adolescence to adulthood in a very positive manner. Boucher stated, “When you can stand in front of a crowd of 300 and 400 people like Andrew Ascencio and Declan Owens have done, when you are 10, 11, 12 years old, and you can go out there and punch and get punched that takes guts! They work out hard and this is a place where they get to compete.” The young men and women at the gym train rigorously and the competitive aspect of boxing not only builds character but also serves as a valuable experience for personal growth.

In today's world, life can be challenging for everyone, but it becomes particularly distressing for children and young adults who experience bullying. Without a proper outlet for their emotions or energy, these individuals may become susceptible to negative influences or engage in mischievous behavior. “We have a lot of kids that have been getting bullied, and we also get a lot of kids that are not in any other activities. They are not into football, band, or activities unrelated to school, so they come here and this becomes a home for them,” Boucher explained. “For us, it is the after-school alternative for not getting into trouble with drugs or alcohol or just sitting there playing video games. We are a positive alternative and that is what we want to be.”

Upon entering the gym, the activity level is intense and filled with electrifying energy. The walls adorned with photographs and the proudly displayed championship belts catch your attention letting you know there are champions in the building. That is a huge confidence builder and that aura is very contagious. “This becomes a place where the kids can find themselves in the camaraderie we have amongst ourselves. In the first month, they are not sure what is going on, but after Coach Coffee gets ahold of them the transformation is amazing. After the first thirty days, they understand what they are doing, you see the kids begin to understand competing, and their confidence builds. It’s about making them feel good about themselves,” Boucher said.

Coach Coffee is the resident Pro and for those seeking a coach who can elevate their skills to the next level, look no further. With an impressive amateur career that encompasses 205 fights, he boasts an extraordinary record of 193 wins. Coffee's accomplishments include being crowned the 1977 National AAU Flyweight Champion, clinching the National PAL Flyweight Champion title in 1978 and 1979, and earning a bronze medal at the 1979 Pan American Games. Additionally, he secured the coveted title of National Golden Gloves Flyweight Champion in 1979 and was ranked the number three Flyweight amateur boxer in the world by the AIBA.

Transitioning to the professional arena in 1980, Coffee engaged in a total of 49 fights, achieving 35 victories, 19 of which came by knockout. His incredible winning streak saw him triumph in his first 26 bouts consecutively, and he even contended for the IBF Bantamweight World title. Coffee ultimately retired from professional boxing in 1994, leaving behind an impressive legacy. “If you come and do one class with Coffee, you are hooked,” exclaimed Boucher.

Boucher tapped Jewson as the general manager to keep the gym running smoothly on day one. Jewson is also the beginner’s coach assisting all aspiring boxers with an introduction to skills and techniques needed for boxing. He too is a registered USA Boxing coach with a SafeSport certification.

The gym is open to males and females ages eight and older and the staff encourages those who are interested to try it out for a week. During the free trial, all the gear is provided, and each hour-long workout is intense. “Some people like to play chess, some people get hit in the face. It's just different. There are boys and girls, men and women, as well as younger and older guys at the gym. There's something for everybody at Butcher Shop Boxing and there is nothing I’d rather be doing with my life,” Boucher concluded.

For class information or to donate to help provide a safe and positive place to train, visit butchershopboxing.com and follow them on social media a @butchershopboxing. Who knows, you might just be helping the next United States Olympian compete!