Boxing Coach, Joe Lorenzi Photo Credit: Ryan Hamilton

As the owner of Lorenzi’s Boxing Gym in West Duluth, Joe Lorenzi enjoys the effect his instruction has on students.
“I like having people go through the mental and physical change,” said Lorenzi, who has owned his business for a little over one year.
“After a few weeks, they love it. I enjoy seeing people feel good about the training.  I love the art of boxing and the self confidence that it brings.”
Lorenzi’s gym currently has 26 students, ranging from 4 to 44 years old. He started teaching with three students, but his business has grown over the past year. Lorenzi said he has about 12 students who will potentially go on to fight in the ring, and the rest are there for the physical and mental conditioning.

Last year, the gym entered both a heavyweight and middleweight fighter in the Golden Gloves tournament.  This year, they will most likely enter both the Golden Gloves and state tournament, he said.
Joe Lorenzi also fights Pro as a cruiserweight, and he turned pro in 2003. He is originally from Illinois, and he moved to Duluth when he was in the 8th grade. He started boxing at age 15 at Twin Ports Boxing.

Lorenzi has many boxers who have inspired him along the way, including Aaron Resberg, Jesus Roses, Wayne Putnam, Tim McShane, Dan Radloff and the Lergards Brothers.
“I give a lot of my thanks and gratitude to those guys,” he said. “I’d also like to give thanks to all my members, and to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Lorenzi says, to be a good boxer, physical and mental elements are important.
“Obviously, technique is very important,” he said. “It is important to be able to relax in the ring and slow things down in your mind, and to be able to understand everything.”

Lorenzi’s Boxing Gym is also looking for volunteer trainers who could eventually become paid coaches.
The gym offers training 5 days a week. For further information on the Lorenzi’s Boxing Gym and the schedule of classes, visit lorenzisboxing.com or call 218-393-0524.

-Adam Haan
adamhaan@yahoo.com