A FREE after-school boxing academy in the South Bronx for youth ages 12–21 — the only FREE boxing gym in the Bronx.
1761 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451
Bronx Legends Boxing Academy
A free after-school academy using boxing, discipline, and mentorship to build leaders in the South Bronx.
Hours
Monday–Friday: 3:00–7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
What Bronx Legends Is
Bronx Legends Boxing Academy is a free, structured after-school boxing academy located in the poorest congressional district in the United States. We provide an Ivy League–level boxing establishment—in standards, instruction, and expectations—to future leaders who have been overlooked, underestimated, or misunderstood. Some kids need to play INDIVIDUAL sports to find their path to greatness.
Boxing is the magnet. Structure is the mission. Self-defense is a fundamental right.
If we save one young person from incarceration, we save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars—and preserve something far more valuable: a life with options.
Who We Serve
Bronx Legends is built for a specific kind of young person:
Kids who didn’t fit neatly into team sports.
Kids who are intense, independent, authentic, and often mislabeled.
Kids whose intelligence and leadership potential went unnoticed—until they found boxing.
For many of our students, this is the first environment where they experience full focus, personal responsibility, and the feeling of being taken seriously.
Our Pillars
Boxing Fundamentals (The Magnet)
Boxing teaches accountability faster than any lecture. You learn how to stand, breathe, listen, and stay composed under pressure.
Wellness & Regulation
On Mondays, our partners Woosaa Wellness provide chi gong, yoga, and meditation—giving students tools for stress regulation, recovery, and mental clarity.
Strength & Conditioning
Safe, structured athletic development that builds confidence, coordination, and long-term health.
Mentorship & Leadership
Consistent adults, clear standards, and real responsibility—so young people learn what leadership feels like.
Academics & SAT Tutoring
We reinforce academic identity and excellence, including SAT tutoring and study support, because discipline in the gym must translate to success in the classroom.
Pathways Forward
College, careers, and civic futures built on discipline, self-belief, and structure.
Our Philosophy
Bronx Legends operates like an academy, not a drop-in gym.
We believe self-defense is a fundamental human right, and that discipline—physical, mental, and ethical—is the foundation of freedom. Boxing is the medium through which young people learn control, accountability, and respect for themselves and others.
We don’t train chaos.
We train character.
Standards & Culture
Respect for the space and each other
Consistent attendance and punctuality
Coachability and effort
Safety at all times
Leadership toward younger students
No bullying. No posturing. No disorder.
SCHEDULE & HOURS
Hours
Monday–Friday: 3:00–7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Weekly Highlights
Daily boxing fundamentals & conditioning
Monday Wellness Programming (chi gong, yoga, meditation with Woosaa Wellness)
Academic support and SAT tutoring
Saturday morning training and special sessions
First Visit
Arrive 15 minutes early. We’ll orient you, learn your goals, and place you in the appropriate group. Gear is not required on day one—we’ll help.
Our Partners
Woosaa Wellness
Provides chi gong, yoga, and meditation programming every Monday, supporting emotional regulation, recovery, and mental discipline.
Cops and Kids Boxing
Our partner organization and connection to the NYPD, supporting coordination, safety, and positive institutional relationships.
Everlast
Official equipment partner, providing boxing gloves, bags, and training equipment that meet professional standards.
These partnerships allow Bronx Legends to operate at a level of seriousness and consistency rarely found in free youth programs.
Meet the Team
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Jay Bulger
Executive Director
Award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and lifelong boxer. Jay founded Bronx Legends to provide the kind of structured environment that changes lives—because it changed his. -
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Amilcar Barnett
Chancellor
Oversees institutional culture, standards, and long-term vision. -
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Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin
Dean of Athletics
Former world champion responsible for athletic excellence, safety, and competitive standards. -
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Robert Pagan
Head Trainer
Directs daily boxing instruction and athlete development. -
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Nisa Rodriguez
NYPD Liaison
Supports coordination, safety, and institutional partnership communication.
Who Should Apply
Young people who are serious—or ready to become serious—about their future. Especially those who have felt overlooked, underestimated, or out of place elsewhere.
How to Join
Complete the enrollment form
Attend orientation
Begin training in the appropriate group
What to Bring
Athletic clothing
Water bottle
Hand wraps or mouthguard if available
If not—we’ll provide support.
Why This Matters
Bronx Legends provides an Ivy-League-level boxing academy in one of the poorest congressional districts in the country—for free.
The math is simple:
If we keep even one young person out of jail, we save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Multiply that by dozens of lives, and the impact is profound.
Where Support Goes
Coaches and supervision
Equipment and safety gear
Facility operations
Wellness and academic programming
Youth opportunity and enrichment