Inglewood Ducks Critic’s Jab, Starts Youth Boxing Program

The Inglewood City Council has agreed to launch a free boxing program for young people despite one councilman’s concerns that the sport is too punishing, and its rewards too few, to be sanctioned by the municipality.

By a 4-1 vote, the council Tuesday authorized its recreation staff to start the program sometime this month at Rogers Park Recreation Center. The year-round program, expected to cost the city $40,000, will provide boxing instruction to 35 young people ages 9 to 18.

The decision comes nearly a year after the council authorized the money for the boxing program but delayed starting it because of Councilman Anthony Scardenzan’s strong concerns about the sport and the program’s costs.

Scardenzan repeated those concerns Tuesday as he unsuccessfully urged his colleagues to redirect the funds from the boxing program to another recreational or educational endeavor for Inglewood’s young people.

“We ought to try to spend the money toward . . . a program when they can learn to do something that is helpful for themselves, without injuring themselves” or others, Scardenzan said.

Although recreation officials said a survey of 11 youth boxing programs in Southern California found no problems with serious injuries or liability, Scardenzan said he was troubled by the prospect that the city’s program would teach fighting skills to youths who might misuse those skills on the streets.

“We know they are under strict supervision” in the program, Scardenzan said. “But when those children are out there and learn the technique of beating up each other, nobody can stop them from doing it whenever they are on the streets.”

Even a successful program, Scardenzan said, would trouble him if it led young people to pursue professional careers as boxers. “I really don’t think we should do that,” he said, reminding his colleagues of how punishing the sport can be, even to champions.

But Scardenzan’s views were not shared by other council members, who argued that the program would be limited to school students who maintain at least a C grade average. Further, they said, the boxing program would provide discipline, athletic skills and self-esteem to young people who might otherwise have few recreational opportunities.

“We are not promoting thuggery. There are enough people out there doing that already,” said Councilman Daniel Tabor. “They are called street gangs.”

Added Mayor Ed Vincent: “We will be helping a lot more kids than we will hurt with this thing.”