Floyd Patterson Boxing Club: Giving Back and Doing It Right

By Ian “The Boxing Historian” Murphy

At the Floyd Patterson Boxing Club in Highland, NY, local youngsters are not only learning how to box, they are learning how to become men and women of substance. The tone is set by owner/operator Anthony Bongiorni and head trainer Tracy Patterson, who himself was a two time (and two division) World Champion in the featherweight and junior lightweight divisions. Having known each other for over thirty years, the two lifelong friends learned the value of having a strong character in addition to a strong body from Tracy’s adopted father, two time Heavyweight Champion Floyd Patterson. Floyd molded the youth of New Paltz, NY for decades and even ten years after he’s passed, Mr. Patterson is still beloved in those parts.

Tracy and Anthony learned how to fight from Floyd, but more importantly, they learned how to be men of character. In the year or so since opening the club, Anthony and Co. have made good headway in furthering the elder Patterson’s legacy of top notch boxing instruction and making positive contributions to the local community. As an added bonus, members of the Floyd Patterson Boxing Club, are taught how to fight by a multiple world champion, and not by a guy has somewhat of an idea how to hold the pads or throw a jab.

Besides getting world class boxing instruction, the younger members of the club also get the benefit of having a place to go after school (the bus drops them off at the club, which is upstairs from the local Baptist church) and do their homework. The kids not only stay off the streets, they get a killer workout and when their parents come to pick them up later that evening, they are tired, hungry, and their schoolwork is done. This is the perfect way to keep the youngsters out of trouble. In addition, local teachers are volunteering their time to help the kids. Not only are they more productive with their time and more on top of their schoolwork, the kids also learn discipline and humility through their boxing training, which is second to none in this region of Upstate New York. You cannot put a price tag on the type of mentorship that the youth of Highland is getting from the Floyd Patterson Boxing Club.

I have been to the gym on two occasions and each time came away impressed, both with the quality of the instruction (Anthony gave me a quick private lesson and was very helpful in tightening up some holes in my technique) and the general attitude and vibe of the place. Once, while chatting in Anthony’s office, a number of young men passed through on the way into the gym. Every single one greeted me with a handshake and addressed Anthony before proceeding to work out. This emphasis on respect and good manners will only serve them later in life. Anthony, Tracy, and the rest of the staff (which includes Anthony’s lovely wife Trenthia) are providing an invaluable service to their neighborhood and surrounding areas. By using notable champions like Tony Zale and Floyd Patterson (both who dedicated 30+years post retirement) as role models, Anthony and Co. are strengthening their communities by giving the kids a safe place to build their minds and bodies, and in the process helping and guiding them into decent and responsible adults.

Floyd Patterson Boxing Club
57 Vineyard Avenue, 2nd Floor
Highland, NY 12528
(845) 430-0082

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