WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Boxing Coach Andre Thompson says the sport teaches discipline and provides a place for teens to go after school, which is hy he's offering a special holiday deal in hopes of getting more kids off the streets and into his gym.
Coach Andre said he was shocked to hear one of his former students, Daniel Henry, faces charges in connection to the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old.
He said that he trained with Henry before moving his gym to Wrightsville Beach, but hadn't talked to the teen in years.
He says after seeing the teen end up behind bars, now he wants to do even more to keep students off the streets and out of trouble.
"I know that I can reach out to a lot of people that's why I wanted to see what I have to offer," said Thompson. He says boxing teaches discipline and is a way for people to get rid of stress.
"They can relieve stress here, and that way they don't go outside frustrated," said Thompson. With meets in other towns, he says it also exposes teens to places outside of Wilmington and North Carolina, which gets them thinking about the future.
That's why he's offering a year's worth of training for $40 for teens and $60 for adults, making sure the boxing ring is affordable for everyone.
"It guides them, it gives them another place to be, other than some place they don't want to be," said Thompson.
The Port City Boxing and Fitness Club is located in the 1300 block of Castle Street. The special offer will last until New Year's Eve.
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