Recently, Coach Rafael Vazquez, the heart and soul behind Vazquez Boxing Academy, arrived at his gym to find the locks illegally changed by a disgruntled ex-partner. When police helped him re-enter, he discovered the entire facility had been disassembled. The ex-partner had left behind only a small pile of scattered items, taking more than half of the equipment without any agreement on who kept what. The sudden disruption forced an unexpected closure, impacting every person who depended on this space.

For those who don’t know Vazquez Boxing Academy, Coach Raf and his team were there every single day — training fighters, mentoring youth, leading family classes, and providing a safe, positive outlet for people of all ages. This wasn’t just a gym; it was a second home. Overnight, the community, the families, and the fighters had the ground pulled out from beneath them.

If you know Coach Raf, you know he doesn’t quit. With faith, heart, and the support of the community he’s lifted for years, he’s determined to rebuild — not for himself, but for everyone who calls Vazquez Boxing Academy home.