Goomba's Boxing Club helps to build character in, out of the ring

LANCASTER- “Boxing is one of the purest sports you can be involved in,” remarked Joe Skubis, owner of Goomba’s Boxing Club. “It’s just you. You break yourself down and really get to know yourself and see what you’re made of. It takes a lot.”

Hard work, discipline, and respect are key qualities not only used at Goomba’s Boxing Club, but can be applied to everyday life.

“Everybody has it in them; I just bring it out of them,” Skubis said.

Opening his own boxing club about three months ago, Skubis was introduced to the sport at a young age by his father, a former local boxer, who boxed at, “The Orioles Boxing Club,” a Lancaster club which closed sometime ago.

“Boxing hasn’t been around for a long time and that’s why when it came to Lancaster people were starting to take a kind liking to it,” said Skubis. “A lot of people were coming through the doors and I was [receiving] a lot of positive feedback.”

Around the age of 12, Skubis started boxing at the Lackawanna Community Boxing Club. His passion for the sport was strong and he excelled at a very fast pace. With a lot of hard work, discipline and sacrifice, everything Skubis has learned in the ring, led him to open his own boxing club.

“It does become a lifestyle,” said Skubis. “It is not just in the ring. It builds character. Everyone thinks it is just two guys lacing up the gloves and going in there and beating up on each other, but they couldn’t be more wrong. It is not about who’s stronger in the ring. It is about who’s smarter. It is an art.”

Fighters are very well educated, said Skubis. They don’t just train their body, but their minds as well.

“It is a mental game. That’s what boxing is. You could be put in the ring with the biggest guy and just outsmart him, be quicker and faster than him,” remarked Skubis.

The facility not only offers training, but managing and promoting.

“So we can take them all the way up,” he said. “From here you can’t stop, if competition is what you’re looking for you can go pro out of here. It takes a lot of hard work to be a fighter. A lot of people say they want it but not everyone can follow through with it, if you’re into competition.”

Collin Murray, a 14-year-old Lancaster resident, is a prime example of what it takes to be a boxer. Working hard every day for the last few months, he will be going head to head in his first fight Saturday, Sept. 8 at Ray Casal's Boxing Club, 1767 Maryland Ave., Niagara Falls. For tickets call Goomba’s.

But it’s not all about competitive fighting; the club is also a fitness place.

“So, if you have goals to be fit. That’s great. Your goals become our goals. It is not just competition we do hit on the fitness aspect of it,” remarked Skubis.

The facility offers an open gym program, which allows a person to come in as often and as long as they want; a Boxercise class for women, a youth program, and personal training.

“There is always a trainer here to help out,” said Skubis. “We are there to keep you motivated and make sure you are doing the right technique. We teach you everything from the proper structures, to throwing the punch the right way, to actually aspiring. All in all it is great self defense.”

Anyone interested in contacting the club or learning more about the club call 507-7542 or check out their Facebook page. Also, residents can stop by Sept. 29 for the club’s open house. The club is located at 11 West Main St, Lancaster and is opened noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

“I want to thank the Town of Lancaster because none of this could be possible without them, especially Mark Aquino,” said Skubis. “This was only a dream and if it wouldn’t have come true it would still be a dream if it wasn’t for these folks.”