CINCINNATI (Angela Ingram) -- A group tired of shootings and violence is challenging kids to take their frustrations out in the ring.
"Put Down the Guns, Pick Up the Gloves" features some of the city's best boxers. It's a ranking in amateur boxing that DaSean Minor has worked hard to earn. The 15-year-old is just one of many young people training at the "Neighborhood House" in the West End.
Saturday, Sept. 19, DaSean and other boxers will show their talents to the entire city at the P&G All Star Park around the corner. It's a big boxing event to show outstanding young fighters. The event is a non-violence effort that was put together to try and curb violence. People can start coming in at 4 p.m.
They'll see 15 fights some of the local amateurs from all the boxing gyms from around Cincinnati. And DaSean will be the main event.
He said the sport has given him a positive outlet for his frustrations, “I think it's a good way because if everybody's in the gym there won't be any street violence.”
The youth in the gym train with Daryl Jones, known as "Coach Pman.” He's made it his mission for years to mentor kids.
He said, “It makes me feel good, you know, that I was able to grab, one, two, maybe five to show that they got talent.”
The coach and promoter, Andrew Williams, invite kids to join boxing programs for free at the event; doing their part to show young people there are other ways to let off some steam.
The park is at Poplar and Baymiller in the West End. Parking is available at the YMCA on Linn Street. Shuttles will take people between the "Y" and the park.
Article courtesy of WKRC 12 Cincinnati