Elmont Boxing Club, Elmont

Steve Gentile was 22 and training for his first go at the Golden Gloves Tournament after winning the Spanish Gloves the year before when he woke up short of breath. He was soon diagnosed with severe asthma, but despite this setback, Gentile continued to fight with the help of his mentor Jimmy Archer – adapting to his asthma and bruising his way to the quarterfinals the following year. Asthma placed his dreams of turning pro out of reach, but Steve couldn’t quite walk away, fighting in charity tournaments during his nine years with the NYPD beginning in 1990. This love of the sweet science only intensified with time; he opened his first boxing gym in 2007 and now, as the owner of Elmont Boxing Club, Gentile spreads the gospel of the sport he loves to a new generation of fighters, some of whom have gone on to the Golden Glove Tournament themselves. Steve shares his extensive knowledge with amateur fighters as well as first-time students looking to get into fighting shape. During group classes and private instruction, students 14 and up learn in-ring fundamentals including timing, footwork, and proper form.