Allan Appel Photo
“It’s time to battle,” said Devonne “Da Bomb” Canady after she used the golden scissors to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of her much anticipated Elephant in the Room boxing gym in Dixwell.
Metro High boxers Emily Colon and Zaneta Langley.
The Friday afternoon festivities drew nearly 100 people to watch demonstrations and to celebrate the community effort that helped bring the gym into being. The gym is at Orchard and Henry streets, a block from Hillhouse High
A disc jockey pumped up the volume. A reassuring voice over a megaphone reminded visitors, “This is all about safety first. And a girl kept her stylish glasses on even as she stepped into the ring and raised her slender arms, at the ends of which were two huge pink boxing mitts.
You would never know that the now freshly painted green brick building with bright lights and a splendid red, white, and blue professional boxing ring had been sitting empty for years, a dismal and abandoned gas station.
A national boxing champ in her own right, Canady attracted supporters through her can-do spirit attracted supporters. Read about that Click here to read about local beat cop James Baker’s response, for instance.
The day of the grand opening turned out also to be Canady’s own birthday. As she received flowers, she said, “Don’t make me a gift. Just be here with me this day.”
They took her at her word as well-wishers watched a series of demonstrations . Zaneta Langley and Emily Colon showed off their newly learned punches and footwork.
Devonne “Da Bomb,” Emily Colon and Zaneta Langley.
The Metropolitan Business High School students have been taking lessons in the boxing/fitness after-school classes that Canady and her staff have been conducting there and at the Clinton Avenue School in Fair Haven.
That was before the gym was ready.
Now both girls said they are about to become Canady’s newest students and gym members. That’s a commitment because they will both be signing up for six days of training three hours each day.
Emily said that of all the sports she’s participated in, she enjoys boxing the most. “When I miss a day, I get angry.”
Zaneta said that in addition to the workout and the discipline and confidence about self defense, she finds boxing a terrific way to relieve stress.
Rohan Mooyin demonstrates a heavy workout.
They’ll be joining Rohan Mooyin, who gave a demonstration of combinations and quick close-in punching on the heavy bag.
The Eli Whitney student has been studying with Canady for three months. His punches sounded hard and firm.
All told, Canady said, she already has 50 gym members ages 8 and up, half female, half male.