Washington gym takes fighters from streets into the ring

Washington

STEPPING into the Bald Eagle Recreation Center in Washington is to step out of a neighbourhood better known for street violence, armed robbery and assault, and into a state-of-the-art boxing gym home to worldclass athletes.

The centre is stocked with two elevated rings, rows of fleshy punching bags and all the workout equipment an aspiring athlete could dream of. But the equipment is just a small part of the gym's draw; most come for father-figure coaches who have built this safe harbour in a rough part of town.