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Young boxers think outside the ring

Updated 2325 GMT (0725 HKT) December 12, 2017

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At Khali Sweeney's Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit, around 100 children get training and academic tutoring five days a week. Sweeney, a high school dropout who was "always getting into trouble, always fighting," turned his life around. He began mentoring at-risk and troubled kids. His efforts have landed him on the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/specials/cnn-heroes">2017 list of top 10 CNN Heroes</a>.
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
At Khali Sweeney's Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit, around 100 children get training and academic tutoring five days a week. Sweeney, a high school dropout who was "always getting into trouble, always fighting," turned his life around. He began mentoring at-risk and troubled kids. His efforts have landed him on the 2017 list of top 10 CNN Heroes.
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Sweeney has long had a passion for boxing, and he realized it could help young people develop discipline in other areas of life. What started as free lessons and mentoring, all paid out of his own pocket, is today a 27,000 square foot gym. It may look like a typical boxing gym at first glance, but the tutoring tables, computers and books give it away. Sweeney's motto is "Books before boxing."
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
Sweeney has long had a passion for boxing, and he realized it could help young people develop discipline in other areas of life. What started as free lessons and mentoring, all paid out of his own pocket, is today a 27,000 square foot gym. It may look like a typical boxing gym at first glance, but the tutoring tables, computers and books give it away. Sweeney's motto is "Books before boxing."
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Where some might see children with academic or disciplinary issues, Sweeney sees potential. "I don't see bad kids. I see a kid who hasn't been heard yet. So, let's find out what's really going on. I see the true potential in the kids. If you get this kid the necessary tools, the resources, if you show this kid the extra time, he wants to be successful," he said.
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
Where some might see children with academic or disciplinary issues, Sweeney sees potential. "I don't see bad kids. I see a kid who hasn't been heard yet. So, let's find out what's really going on. I see the true potential in the kids. If you get this kid the necessary tools, the resources, if you show this kid the extra time, he wants to be successful," he said.
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Sweeney, who had an unstable home life and sought a makeshift family on the streets as a youth, wants the gym to feel like home for a young boxer. "We want to boost each other up around here all the time. I want a kid to feel that when he walks in the door, that he's a part of a family, a real family."
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
Sweeney, who had an unstable home life and sought a makeshift family on the streets as a youth, wants the gym to feel like home for a young boxer. "We want to boost each other up around here all the time. I want a kid to feel that when he walks in the door, that he's a part of a family, a real family."
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The space is about letting young people age 7-18 fulfill their potential in academics, athletics and other activities. Sweeney and his team are dedicated to mentoring the youth into success as long as their path is positive.
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
The space is about letting young people age 7-18 fulfill their potential in academics, athletics and other activities. Sweeney and his team are dedicated to mentoring the youth into success as long as their path is positive.
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Physical discipline can go hand-in-hand with academic success. Sweeney and his team work to reinforce routines for the program participants.
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
Physical discipline can go hand-in-hand with academic success. Sweeney and his team work to reinforce routines for the program participants.
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Boxing teaches physical and mental strategy, important elements in the classroom and in the outside world.
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
Boxing teaches physical and mental strategy, important elements in the classroom and in the outside world.
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So far, at least 267 students have completed the program. All of them, according to Sweeney, have graduated high school, and 98% have gone on to college.
Photos: Young boxers think outside the ring
So far, at least 267 students have completed the program. All of them, according to Sweeney, have graduated high school, and 98% have gone on to college.
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At Khali Sweeney's Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit, around 100 children get training and academic tutoring five days a week. After escaping street life, Sweeney began mentoring at-risk and troubled kids to save other young people from the same path.