THE gym was relatively quiet that particular afternoon.

Most of the boxers have called it a day. But sitting alone in a corner is an American trainer who goes by the name Tommy Barrett—and he claims that he has worked with the boxing trainer legend Freddie Roach.

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“I’ve learned a lot from Freddie, I was with him even before he had the Wild Card Gym. I’ve known Freddie for 40 years.”

I lean my ear to try and clarify if what I heard was right. “One, four?”

“No. Four… Zero,” he confirms.

Although Tommy’s working on going back to the States, he expresses his desire to come back and live in the country—particularly Cebu. He’s doing a little training sideline here at the boxing gym of the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC) for about 11 months now.

“There’s a lot of talent out here. This place is like a diamond mine,” he claims.

According to CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros, Barrett has been volunteering his services to train young boxers.

Though some folks are skeptical of this unusual predicament (and there’s no credible proof yet to what extent, who he claims to be), it doesn’t change the fact that he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to basic training. But though he indeed is within the scene, the pack of young aspiring boxers we see here are trained by Diosdado Peñalosa (who fought with the ring name “Dodie Boy” and is a two-time world champion) and Efren Tabanas (an Asian Gold Medalist and Olympian during the 80s).

One of the young boxers who train here is two-time national gold medallist Dodie Boy Peñalosa—Diosdado’s eldest son. Looking at how things are shaping out for this guy, then perhaps we can say that boxing truly runs in their blood. But don’t hold out, not only is this place for serious boxers. But this boxing gym at the CSCC caters to everyone who desires to have a mean workout through boxing.

Beginner or newbie, whatever you want to label yourself, the trainers are more than willing to start off training from whatever condition you find yourself in. The great thing about here, too, is that the client can clarify with the trainer whether or not he or she wants a training that’s leaning towards boxing as a self-defense, or as a way of merely shedding some pounds through cardiovascular activity.

Some people may be hesitant at first thought coming in a gym full of boxers. But according to Ballesteros, they want to “prioritize the amateurs first” in this particular gym.

So whether you want to excel as a professional boxer, improve your balance and footwork, or you merely want to improve and get that jab well done, this place can get it done for you.