Champion boxer puts his focus on Toledo youth
Albert Bell’s giving back to the next generation of boxers.
TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo native and boxing champion Albert Bell is once again making an impact on his community. And no surprise here, he’s doing it in the ring!
“For me to be able to come from their age and do it and to give back and to teach them what I know, and just carry on their continued success in boxing — I think it’s a beautiful thing,” said Bell.
As a boxer, Bell’s ranked #1 in the super featherweight category by the North American Boxing Association. So, he felt it was important to give back to the community that gave him so much.
“It wasn’t that hard, to be honest. I have all the resources already to make it happen, so it was just something I thought about. I have a lot of free time when I’m in the city, so I’m like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna start training some kids, helping some kids.’ So I just said I was going to do it on Facebook, and next thing you know, we’re here,” explained the champion boxer.
Bell tells me he’s already seeing growth in the sizable group that attended the first, of what will hopefully be many sessions, at Central City Boxing in Savage Park.
“To see how they didn’t know their left foot from their right foot, and 30 minutes later they’re perfecting the jab, I think that’s beautiful,” he said.
11-year-old Ariana Rodela says she has a few reasons to be engaged in this opportunity, including self defense and a family connection.
“My dad’s friend is teaching here. So he was like, ‘It’s a really good idea for you to learn here, so you can learn while you’re young, and then when you grow up, you’ll know more,’” Rodela said.
Bell encourages anyone who wants to get their kids involved in this program to reach out to him on social media.
“We’re here for y’all, we’re here for the youth, and we’re gonna make it happen.”
