How a nearly 30-year-old Brockton boxing gym is keeping the City of Champions name going
BROCKTON — Right in the heart of Brockton is a place where people can let go of their anguish from life, be free of judgment and work out and build community.
Cappiello Boxing Gym has been in the city for the last three decades, spreading positivity and family vibes throughout Brockton.
Michael Cappiello, the owner, better known as "Little Rock" Cappiello, started his boxing career almost by accident. As a high schooler, he played football and one day tried boxing — it was basically love at first sight.
The boxer went pro with a 33-6 record, retired, and then opened the gym located at 162 Main St.
"Boxing keeps kids off the street, and it's a family atmosphere here," Cappiello said. "It gets the kids doing something positive and overall helps them improve grades in school and become a role model for the community."
At the gym, several trainers, mentors and teachers attend daily and can help the children excel. Not only do kids go and get a workout, but adults do as well.
"It's the place to be," Cappiello said.
"A lot of people walk up to me and tell me my dad's gym has changed their life," said Mike Cappiello, the son of Michael Cappiello.
The gym was a way to commemorate their cousin Rocky Marciano, the undefeated heavyweight champion from Brockton who died in a plane crash at the age of 45 in 1969.
"Boxing means a lot to me, and I've watched my dad work at his gym his whole life, and boxing is more than fighting. It's about discipline and learning other life skills," Mike Cappiello said.
Potential customers can join for a monthly membership, classes, one-on-one training or a women-only boxing class.
On the third floor of the gym, you can enjoy views of the city. When the sun sets, it peers through windows and shines an angelic light onto patrons.
Darion Bartibogue, a teacher in Brockton Public Schools, brings his students to the gym to show them real-life examples of consistency, resilience and hard work, he said.
"It's good for the kids to see a team-oriented environment," Bartibogue said. "I've noticed that their attitudes in school have changed, and they push themselves harder academically. It's easy for a teacher to tell them how to be great, but I'm here showing them instead — it's much more impactful."
The younger Mike Cappiello knows how vital it is to create a safe space that breeds success, and the family is no stranger to hard work.
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"If you work hard, your dreams will come true," he said.
And his father's gym is a testament to that. Michael Cappiello worked his whole life at boxing and was able to expand on his gifts and share them with the world.
"It's important to have a boxing gym downtown because it's the city legacy. We are the City of Champions, and boxing is a big thing here," Michael Cappiello said.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Cappiello Boxing Gym is making champions in Brockton
