OUR IMPACT

Measured in numbers. Felt in lives.

“Taking kids away from the streets and away from jail — that’s my championship.”
— Fernando Ponce Laspina, Founder

OUR IMPACT AT A GLANCE

El Maestro is a community anchor in the Bronx, providing a consistent space for boxing, mentorship, discipline, fitness, and belonging.

Our former location daily impact show

‍ ‍We served 60–75 young people and adults each day

On April 1, 2026, El Maestro moved to 1155 Southern Blvd, a larger location, creating the opportunity to serve more participants, expand programming, and deepen our role as a trusted community space.

Who We Reach
Our intake data shows that El Maestro is reaching the people it was built to serve:
- 76% of participants are under 24 years old
- 70% of participants who are new to El Maestro have never boxed before
- Over 40% of participants live within walking distance
- 25% speak Spanish at home
- Nearly all participants identify as Black and/or Latino and live in the Bronx
What Happens Here

The real impact is what happens after people walk through the door.
At El Maestro, first-time participants learn discipline. Young people find structure, mentorship, and accountability. Families gain a trusted neighborhood space. Justice-involved youth are given a positive pathway through training, consistency, and community.
At El Maestro, young people learn that hard work opens doors. Youth under 21 who earn championship titles receive board-sponsored training opportunities, reinforcing discipline, consistency, and commitment.
Together, our sign-in records, intake data, and participant stories show the same thing: El Maestro creates access, builds discipline, and helps Bronx youth grow stronger in and out of the ring.

STORIES OF IMPACT

By Joe Torres
Friday, June 10, 2022
That life history is why Laspina and his gym are more focused on nurturing kids than training boxers. He's a life coach and his gym is a community center.
"Every day that you are here, you are not outside doing whatever it is other people do," amateur boxer John Henriquez said.
They work together to help the next generation avoid the bad decisions that tarnished his youth.
"It's sort of like a support system that we have here with the elders," amateur boxer Joseph Torres said. "The elders come, they tell you, they share life stories. And from those life stories, you can see how different their lives could have been."
Laspina is proud of the work he's doing to give young people a fighting chance at making a better life for themselves.

Joe Torres Eyewitness News full article

Through our partnership with Beyond Boxing, a young man facing significant challenges came through El Maestro's doors looking for guidance, structure, and a positive path forward.
What he found was more than a boxing gym. He found mentorship, discipline, accountability, and a community that believed in his potential.
Day by day, he committed himself to the process by showing up, putting in the work, and developing the confidence and character needed to succeed both inside and outside the ring.
Today, at just 16 years old, he is a championship-winning boxer.
His journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the right opportunities, positive role models, and a supportive community. With a safe place to train and people who believe in them, they can overcome obstacles, pursue their goals, and build a brighter future.
The championship belt represents more than athletic achievement. It represents perseverance, growth, and the life-changing impact of mentorship.