By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones
NEWBURGH – Inside the steady snap of punches and the sharp calls of coaches, Hook Elite Boxing Club has become more than a gym—it’s a heartbeat for Newburgh youth, families, and fighters of all ages and genders. Founded by longtime trainer and community mentor Leonard Lee, the club has spent years shaping discipline, confidence, and opportunity while keeping young people off the streets and inside a space where they are seen, supported, and challenged.
“I’ve been in boxing or dealing with boxing since I was eight years old,” Lee recalled. “Life for me, was up and down. I did some prison time [for] drugs, guns, [and] assaults… I was raised up in the church, and I’ve always had someone telling me the right thing to do, even though I didn’t do it… My daughter got sick. I promised God that if He dealt with that, I’d serve Him ‘til I die. My service is right here trying to teach these kids, trying to raise them up to be World Champions.”
Hook Elite once ran a powerful community ritual known as Friday Night “Gloves Up, Guns Down.” It wasn’t about aggression. It was about defusing it. If two people in the neighborhood had tension, instead of letting it spill into the streets, they brought it into the gym, under supervision, with rules, gloves, and respect. The program taught emotional control, accountability, and the idea that real strength comes from discipline—not weapons. It became a symbol of Newburgh choosing structure over chaos, community over conflict, and a better path forward for young people who needed somewhere safe to put their frustration and pride.
Though boxing has long been viewed as a man’s sport—defined by grit, toughness, and a history dominated by male fighters—that perception never slowed down 13-year-old Zyranna Ortiz Espinosa, who began boxing at the age of seven before pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three months ago, she returned—fueled by determination and a series of persistent requests to her father who boxed.
“My dad did boxing. So, I want to do boxing. I don’t want to do Girl Scouts or anything like that… My big sister does Girl Scouts and she wanted me to do it, but I never felt like doing anything like Girl Scouts. I was mostly into sports, like baseball [and] boxing… [I like] that I can spar in front of people and train here,” Zyranna said shyly, gloves dangling from her fingers.
She has been sparring, working drills, and developing her footing but has not yet entered a match. At home, she trains on her punching bag and runs to build stamina, and her father is building a backyard setup to support her growing passion.
17-year-old Tyra Lane is another girl that trains at Hook Elite. She didn’t walk into Hook Elite because she was following in her father Antwaun Hedgemond’s footsteps, who boxed while serving in the military and once competed at the national championships in Colorado. She came because she wanted to. Tyra saw the ring not as a barrier, but as a place to claim her own power.
“I like fighting,” Lane said confidently. “At first, I was doing it for fun… The opportunity is there, so why not take it? You never know where it’s going to go.”
The sense of family runs deep—especially for athletes like 22-year-old Elijah “The Bully” who has been winning medals and championship belts with Hook Elite since age 8 and is now a rising professional boxer and credits the gym with changing the direction of his life.
“This is my home,” Elijah said. “I left it for a while. I messed around with football and I messed around with other stuff and I realized that this is going to take me further. So, that’s why I came back… This is who I am. Without this, I don’t know where I would be.”
Asked why he stays connected to the club, Elijah grinned.
“I was running with the wrong crowd. I had a run in with the police. Because of this, I was on probation… I got off a year early because of [Hook Elite]. ‘We see you boxing. We see you staying out the way, not doing what you used to do,’” said Elijah as he looks over at Lee. “I owe that man everything.”
Hook Elite’s influence extends beyond athletics—mentorship, accountability, academic encouragement, and character-building are embedded into the culture. For many parents, the gym represents safety, stability, and positive male role models.
Now, the club is preparing for one of its proudest community events, the International Box Off, taking place Saturday, December 20th at 2pm at the Newburgh Armory. Fighters from across regions and nations will compete, with Hook Elite athletes showcasing their growth, heart, and home-grown talent.
“It’s an international tournament. We have Ireland, we have London, Mexico, Canada, and… Australia,” Lee said. “We had that years ago… It turned out really well. We’re expecting it to turn out even better this year.”
Families, sports fans, and community members are invited to attend, cheer, and experience the energy firsthand. At Hook Elite Boxing Club, champions aren’t just born in the ring—they’re built in the choices young people make every day.
