Ghazi Abdulghani had his hours cut at work, so he is spending his spare time directing fitness activities at the St. Croix Sportsman Center. His mission at the non-profit center is to get youth off the streets and into fitness, primarily boxing.

“I opened the center because I wanted to turn around and serve my community,” Abdulghani said. “I believe our response to serve has to match the crisis. Our community is absolutely in crisis. This center provides an outlet for students to learn to live a healthy lifestyle. We’re building fire and determination so the kids can get ahead in the right way.”

Abdulghani, 32 years-old and from St. Croix, studied martial arts as a teen and was a big fan of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee and their movies. He started amateur boxing in 2008, training under Julian Jackson on St. Thomas. He offering boxing at the gym because he thinks martial arts seem foreign to locals, he said.

“A lot of people think boxing is violent,” Abdulghani said. “I would rather end up with a black eye than a black coffin. And I’d rather have kids in a boxing ring than killing in the street.”

Tennis and chess just don’t resonate with some children, he said.

“They learn discipline and conflict resolution when they put on the gloves. Boxing is real and things are worked out.”

Abdulghani, director of the center, was certified in the Alternatives to Violence Program under Carolyn Keys. He is also certified in CPR and first aid.

The location at 4A Orange Grove is convenient for youth that live in JFK Terrace, Watergut and Ruby Rouse housing communities to go to after school.

Sekiye Smithen, a 14-year-old student in alternative education, said he is learning discipline and dedication through boxing. He had just finished warming up with a two-mile run to the Christiansted Bypass, stretches and circuits.

“Boxing will help me stay healthy and fit too,” Smithen said.

For a small, yearly, membership fee patrons get boxing lessons, weight training, and use of fitness equipment. Children must be 10 years-old and adults of all ages can become members too. He said there are about 100 children registered.

The large roomy gym that opened in January – and was in recent years a bingo hall – has mirrors on the walls by the punching bags. The Boxing Federation donated a 24-foot-by-24-foot boxing ring. There are weight machines, treadmills and stationary bikes. A large portion of the equipment was donated by the V.I. Amateur Boxing Federation and the V.I. Crime Prevention Bureau.

Anais Alicea said the gym is a good way to deal with stress.

“This isn’t like your typical gym,” Alicea said. “There is a real sense of community here. The coaches are helpful and boxing is fun.”

Darryl Johnson volunteers, helping people with weight training. He is a wrestler and will coach youth in a wrestling program that is in the planning stages. Malik Moore also volunteers at the center.

“We’re building fire and determination so the kids can get ahead in the right way,” Abdulghani said

Abdulghani said he would not have been able to open the center if wasn’t for support from his family and Warren Mosler, who has given the use of the facilities rent free.

“He’s a fan of boxing and believes in us and just gave us the key,” Abdulghani said. Abdulghani is a network administrator for Pentium Technical and Training.

He is offering all government employees a free month of membership through the end of December.

The center is open from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. More information about the center is available by calling 1-340-227-6822.