A four-time national boxing champion just reopened his gym in Mott Haven at 33% capacity and with safety protocols in place.
SouthBox by Eric Kelly is a boxing gym that allows you to release your energy while also getting into shape.
"With what's going on in the world today, we need a lot of therapy. We need to just come in and punch and get it out,” said owner Eric Kelly.
Kelly reopened the gym on Lincoln Avenue just a few weeks ago, with more space and state-of-the-art equipment.
Kelly says the gym offers more than just boxing and that it is also an outlet for young kids to stay out of trouble.
"Boxing gyms saved me, back then the streets were crazy and right now the streets are starting to get a little bit crazy again,” said Kelly, "No one's really providing that outlet for the youth. New York City has turned its back on the youth a bit in terms of having places like this for the kids to come and train and stay out the streets.”
The gym does temperature checks and requires health waivers from clients at their door.
Only 25 people are allowed in the facility at a time. The gym requires all staff and clients to wear masks and they deep clean and sanitize all equipment in the evenings.