Bad Apple Boxing celebrates three years of building champions and a community

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Bad Apple Boxing is celebrating its third birthday in Yuma, marking three years of developing local athletes while creating a strong sense of community inside the gym.

For 11-year-old Francisco Perez, the gym has been a major part of his boxing journey. Perez has trained at Bad Apple Boxing since he was eight years old and recently became a national champion.

“This gym helped me because I just got national champion, first in the nation. And coach, my coach helped me get there,” Perez said.

While boxing remains a major focus, head coach and owner Tyler Bialecki says the gym was created to give local kids a safe place to train, build life skills and stay off the streets.

“This is a forever place for, you know, the Yuma community,” Bialecki said. “We just keep on growing together. And we have some future athletes that are going to go to the pro scene.”

That sense of family is also what makes the gym special for Skyler Bialecki, a co-owner and local boxer and state champion wrestler.

“I think the main thing about this place is probably the atmosphere,” Skyler Bialecki said. “Everyone that comes in is always super nice to each other. Everyone's talking. Everyone's enjoying the vibe. Everyone's happy to be around and everyone just loves coming here.”

After three years of growth, Tyler Bialecki says the goal is to continue developing the next generation of athletes while keeping the gym's family atmosphere intact.

“We're building something special here at Bad Apple Boxing,” he said. “And I'm looking forward to the next three years.”

Bad Apple Boxing is located in Yuma and offers training Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.