Turning Fists of Fury Into Fellowship : Youths Learn to Release Aggressions at Alhambra Youth Boxing Club

Rudy Tellez saw the potential every time he picked up his daughter from Alhambra High.

Students of different nationalities and ethnic groups. Some alone. Others in groups.

Tellez sensed the tension and isolation in many students’ eyes. Sometimes, he said, he watched it erupt from their fists.

The potential for trouble was great. But Tellez, 41, believed the potential for understanding and mutual respect was greater.

In July, Tellez opened the Alhambra Youth Boxing Club. His goal: to produce champions of responsibility.

“Kids today have so much anger and animosity inside of them,” Tellez said. “If it’s not from home, it’s from school, or the streets or the law.

“When you get them into a gym, they can take it out on a punching bag. But before they do that, you talk to them. You settle them down.

“My goal is to make leaders out of these kids.”

Tellez’s philosophy appears to be working.

More than 160 boys and girls between 8 and 18 are taking part in the club’s programs. Tellez, who managed Joey Olivo, the first American to win the light flyweight championship in 1985, oversees the boxing instruction. His wife, Antonia, coordinates and teaches the public speaking and youth leadership courses.

The operation is financed by the Tellez’s, contributions from local businesses and fund-raising events such as a golf tournament. There is no charge for membership other than $15 a year for insurance.

In December, the club’s future was uncertain because the lease was expiring on its building, a former savings and loan. Tellez, however, said the club was rescued with assists from Congressman Marty Martinez, Southern California Edison and the city of Alhambra.

On Saturday, the club will celebrate the grand opening of its new location in a 21,000-square-foot building owned by Edison at 508 S. Marengo. Festivities will include speeches by club members, mariachi music, exhibition boxing matches and a rap-a-thon featuring nine rap groups.

“This is a place for all nations and all races,” said Tellez, a former youth counselor and boxing manager who owns a dental lab in East Los Angeles. “There is no prejudice in the gym. We don’t discriminate against anyone or make fun of anyone. When kids step inside here they respect each other. That’s what it’s all about.”

Indeed, winning bouts, or even competing in them, is secondary to learning proper technique and demonstrating the discipline to complete a regular workout.

After a member joins the club, he is placed in front of a mirror where he learns to use the floor and to shadow box. Next comes instruction and practice on the heavy, double-end and speed bags. Only after 60 days of workouts are members allowed to climb into the ring.

“We’re not here to jeopardize anyone’s life,” Tellez said. “I tell the kids, ‘Don’t be so anxious (to get in the ring). Take it easy and you’ll be there. It takes more than 60 days to think about what you’re going to do once you get in there.’ ”

A typical day at the gym includes a warm-up followed by a “roundhouse” circuit consisting of three rounds (three minutes a round) of shadow boxing, three rounds on the heavy bag, three rounds on the double-end bag, three rounds on the speed bag and three rounds of skipping rope.

“Everyone in the club is a teammate,” said Michael Lao, 17. “It’s a good workout and it gives you someplace to go. What I learn in the gym makes me work better at school.”

After a workout, club members can take part in a study hall or participate in the youth leadership program.

“It’s a great way to get the kids to express feelings without calling it a counseling session,” Antonia Tellez said. “They’re able to talk about, and hear, themselves.”

Said Patrick Nieves, 14: “I didn’t really want to be in it, but after a few weeks it was pretty fun. We started talking about how we can talk to our parents and other people without arguing. It was very valuable.”

Tellez’s hope of producing responsible young people is being realized. That, at least, is the opinion of Melinda Magdaleno, 19, who has witnessed the maturation of her brother, Jerry, 17, since the San Gabriel High junior joined the club. Jerry will be one of the featured speakers at the grand opening Saturday.

“He’s changed a lot and has respect for other people,” Melinda said. “He’s become very responsible. He encourages other people.

“The main thing is, he’s learned to feel good about himself.”