MORE THAN A
BRONX BOXING GYM
We’re a community-driven by purpose.
Founded in 2003 in the South Bronx, Centro Cultural y Educativo El Maestro Inc. has spent over 20 years helping young people build stronger bodies, stronger minds, and stronger futures.
El Maestro is more than a boxing gym. It is a community space rooted in love, discipline, mentorship, education, and culture.
Through boxing, cultural programs, and youth development, we give young people a safe place to grow, learn, train, and become leaders inside and outside the ring.
For more than two decades, this work has been carried by families, volunteers, fighters, and community — without institutional funding.
El Maestro team in Vieques, Puerto RicoOUR STORY
“ Boxing was never just about fighting. It was about discipline, growth, and community ”
— Pedro Luis Laspina ‘Pete ’
A LEGACY
BUILT ON
GROWTH
LOVE AND
MENTORSHIP
EL GRITO DE LARES FESTIVAL 2018
A LEGACY BUILT ON
GROWTH, LOVE, AND MENTORSHIP
Centro Cultural y Educativo El Maestro Inc. was founded in the South Bronx with a vision that went far beyond the ring.
For over two decades, El Maestro has helped young people build discipline, confidence, and community through boxing, mentorship, culture, and education.
What began as a vision to unite Puerto Rican culture, youth development, and amateur boxing has become a home for families across the Bronx.
Under the leadership of Fernando “Ponce” Laspina and his late brother, Pedro Luis “Pete” Laspina, El Maestro build more than fighters.
It builds relationships.
It builds opportunity.
It builds possibility.
For more than 20 years, El Maestro has served South Bronx youth without institutional funding — powered by families, volunteers, fighters, culture, and community.
We have carried this work because our young people deserve a place to grow, train, learn, and belong.
Now, we are asking for partners to help keep the doors open for the next generation.
23 Years of Impact
Thousands of youth mentored through boxing
Tens of thousands of hours of education, training, and mentorship
Hundreds of amateur boxing champions developed
Thousands of Bronx families positively impacted
Hundreds of cultural and community events celebrating Puerto Rican heritage
A STORY OF GROWTH, MENTORSHIP, AND LOVE
A Young Champion’s Journey
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He began his journey at El Maestro, learning discipline, confidence, and the foundations of boxing.
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He won several bouts, including competition at the NYC Junior Olympics, showing the focus, resilience, and courage he had built through training.
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After graduating high school, he went on to attend Central Connecticut State University, where he is pursuing a degree in biochemistry. While in college, he was also recognized by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut for leadership — proof that El Maestro builds more than fighters. We help build futures.
He said “I didn’t know how blessed I was. I thought everyone in the Bronx grew up with at least one mentor, but they don’t. I was lucky to have El Maestro.”
Mentorship changes what a young person believes is possible.
For more than 20 years, without institutional funding, El Maestro has given South Bronx youth more than boxing. We have given them coaches, mentors, discipline, culture, and a community that refuses to let them stand alone.
Our Origins Story
The founder of Centro Cultural y Educativo El Maestro Inc., Professor Fernando “Ponce” Laspina, was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and grew up in the Bronx during a time of challenge and change.
As a young leader in his community, he experienced firsthand the realities many youth still face today.
Determined to create a better path, he dedicated his life to building a space rooted in
Valor & Sacrifice. Patience & Wisdom.
Inspired by the teachings of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, known by many as “El Maestro,” Centro Cultural y Educativo El Maestro Inc. was created as a place where young people could find structure, mentorship, culture, education, and boxing.
Today, that vision continues.
El Maestro remains a home for young people who need guidance, families who need support, and a community that believes in building the next generation.
“The youth have the duty to arm themselves with the weapons of wisdom.” - Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos.
Get Involved
Whether you’re looking to join our programs, volunteer, partner with us, or support our mission, we invite you to become part of El Maestro.
Your support helps us continue providing boxing, mentorship, cultural education, youth development, and community programs in the South Bronx.