Fighting For Hope

My name is Joe Lorenzi. My wife and I are the owners of the Bemidji Boxing Club LLC. I am also the founder of the Bemidji Youth Boxing Foundation (Formerly the Arrowhead Youth Boxing Foundation).

We are from the Twin Ports area (Duluth, MN) and the former owners and founders of Lorenzi’s Boxing Inc. I have been involved with boxing for over 23 years.

When I was 15 years old I walked through the doors of Twin Ports boxing in Duluth MN. I was a young kid with no direction and no male role models in my life. Through 5 years and 70+ amateur boxing matches I decided to give it a try on the professional stage. I competed in 9 professional matches and traveled extensively during this time.

It was in 2008 I decided that I wanted to give back to my community, as those who taught me had done. I wanted to create a place where kids and adults could come in off the street and learn. I believe in teaching, not just boxing, but how to navigate life. I believe this comes from discipline, hard work, dedication and self confidence.

My dreams and aspirations led me to working, not just with competitive boxers, but also with people that didn’t want to compete. These people still have fitness goals of being in the best condition they can. It’s my job they help them achieve that goal.

I am proud to say after 12 years, I have been fortunate enough to work with thousands of people in the Twin Ports area. We have also put on over 45 amateur boxing events in the past 9 years.

In 2008 I also graduated from Fond Du Lac College with a degree in Law Enforcement. With the gym I opened in Duluth at the time, my career was put on hold. After 10 years of giving back I decided to continue my dreams of becoming a police officer. In late 2018 I was able to see my dreams become reality as I took my first position as an Officer in central MN.

Shortly after, I moved my family to the Bemidji Community where I continue to work as an LEO.

I sold my gym (Lorenzi’s Boxing) in late 2019.  My wife and I wanted to continue to give back to our new community. In December of 2019 the Bemidji Boxing Club was created. We opened the doors a few weeks later in January. We were so overwhelmed by the support and love the Bemidji community showed us. We were meeting and working with so many wonderful people! Classes were going great. I was able to start working with some very awesome young men and women in our fighter classes, and then........

It all stopped due to the Covid-19 virus. From mid March were ordered to shut our doors by the Governor.

Our rent for our space, equipment loans and other expenses did not stop. With no end to our lockdown in site, we are holding on as long as we can before having to close our doors for good.

We are asking for your help! We want and need to continue to help our community! There are so many youth in need in our community.

Our program will continue to provide a safe and positive environment for youth and adults alike, as long as we can.

Your support will help us continue keep our doors open!

Thank you for your support!