Jonathan Makiri

Multimedia: Primo Boxing

Joe Primo grew up in a neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California notorious for gang activity. As a teenager he struggled to stay out of trouble as the influence and lure of gang life was everpresent. As a young man he took up boxing which provided direction and focus as he began to drift away from friends who ended up either in prison or dead.

Primo eventually opened a boxing gym in the epicenter of gang activity in Santa Barbara. He wanted a place where kids could avoid the temptations of gang life that he could not. For over a decade Primo Boxing has thrived as a community center where children, teens and adults practice a sport they love.

No schedule No mandatory practice. No uniforms. The kids just show up and it's all free.