At Youngstown-Salem Boxing club, it's more than training for fights.

For some, like Struthers native Giavoni Farina, it's about purpose.

"One day I looked up on Facebook and found gyms near me. I was sick of getting in trouble outside of the gym, so I found the boxing gym and fell in love with it."

Farina continued, "I didn't really have anything to do with myself outside of work and boredom so it really filled a void."

Alecia and Rocky DeFrank opened the boxing club five years ago. It's grown into a family-like atmosphere.

"We're a big family here," says Boardman native Bambi Linam. "We help each other out, encourage each other. It helps you get through everything that you're going through."

Boardman native Andre Averette has been training at the gym since the beginning. Boxing has helped him transform physically and mentally.

"From overcoming worry, anger and all the bad stuff in life, it helped me stay focused and keep grinding, keep moving forward," said Averette.

He continued, "No matter what comes my way, no matter what shots hit me, I can still keep my hands up and keep moving forward."

Anyone is welcome to train at the gym regardless of whether they are boxers or not.

"It's not just to bring up a world champion," said DeFrank. "If that happens, that happens. It's also to help teach them life skills, help them to believe in who they are and help the people that come into this gym to know that they can accomplish anything."

Youngstown's Malachi Signor has adopted those beliefs. The autistic fighter has knocked out the limitations.

"It means a lot to me," said Signor. "I asked God what he wants me to do and he just wanted me to stay in the league and just get the job done."

Signor recently had the opportunity to meet Jake Paul, a dream come true.

"I met Jake Paul in Florida," said Signor. "He had a fight show and my dream is I meet Jake Paul." 

Signor continued, "They put me on cameras, I saw his mom. I love his mom and his whole team, they all love me."

DeFrank says it's been a true blessing having Malachi training at the gym.

"He has the heart, the dedication and the drive," said DeFrank. "He's still developing but with the special attention that he gets in here, he'll be able to go even further."

Right now, a membership is a monthly fee of $40.00. The gym is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

DeFrank says they plan to host three fights at the gym in 2025. They are located at 8590 Hitchcock Road in Boardman.

You can call 724-877-1807 for more information.