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Vintage Box members often use boxing for personal growth or release. (Filip De Mott photos)
Vintage Boxing is pulling no punches in its efforts to improve the city’s boxing scene.
Scott’s Addition-based gym is hosting the final round of its newest spring tournament, The River City Invitational. The three-round event, which began in June, aims to establish Richmond as a serious boxing hub and ensure that boxing operations can be run smoothly.
Competition boxers act as the backbone of their transition to professional because they allow them the victories needed to advance their ranks. However, founder Eric Ash says boxers often waste weekends traveling to out-of-state tournaments, which limits their career growth.
He said, “You will be there for a fight and your opponent will not come.” “I wanted to take it into our own hands where we could do all the matches and have some sort of control that way.”
Eric Ash is the founder of Vintage Box.
The tournament comes with the added benefit of expanding its vintage image, attracting both pro and amateur fighters. It is parallel to the expansion period for the gym.
Just over a decade ago, the business started with a Facebook post from Ash, offering old-school boxing sessions to anyone looking for one.
Once a professional boxer entered married life, he took a break from the sport and instead became an entrepreneur in the automobile industry. But a later divorce and a chance encounter with his college coach made him consider the prospect of returning to his roots.
“At that point, he was like, ‘Man, you gotta come back,'” Ash recalled talking to his former coach. “You have to help the community.”
Following his Facebook post, 30 people responded, and the engagement has been growing ever since. As he did, Ash moved from a gymnasium in Mechanicsville to a garage near his workplace, prompting him to continue training.
A few years later, the business attracted 100 members and Ash moved to 1202 N. Arthur Ash Blvd. The gym officially went into business around 2018, as a for-profit.
After taking over the front of the building, Vintage acquired the two rear parts of the space and used the space to increase services offered to members.
The first race of the invitational was held on June 11 at Richmond Raceway, drawing about 500 spectators from across the state. A second round followed in July with 700 participants. The last round It will be held on August 20.
Regular pre-sale tickets are $20, $10 for children and $35 for a VIP ringside table ticket, which offers up-close seating for six registrants and costs $600.
Proceeds from the competition go to Matthew-Smiles, a suicide prevention organization founded by a family who lost their teenage son this way. As members of Vintage Box, the family shared their story with Ash and inspired the fundraising idea.
Ash says Josiah Giles has the potential to be a world champion in blue shorts.
“Having a 13-year-old daughter really pulled some strings for me,” he said.
The June and July rounds have already raised $3,400, of the $5,000 goal, which Ash is confident he will reach.
In his view, it is the community that drives Vintage’s success, bringing out the core purpose of the gym as helping people. Although members come to learn boxing, the one-on-one training sessions provide a place to vent their frustrations.
“They almost become counselors to help people through their lives,” Ash said. “They need this place. And that’s the best feeling.”
Expanding on that theme, Vintage Box may soon be rebranded as Vintage Richmond. The name change serves to broaden the gym’s focus beyond boxing, as it works to grow into a health center for its members.
In addition to the boxing arena, the gym offers a recovery room, citing rehabilitation services such as a cryotherapy room and an infrared sauna.
The newest addition to the recovery room is the hyperbaric room. The device creates a 100 percent oxygen environment, which provides health benefits to users.
The gym recently acquired a medical-grade hyperbaric oxygen unit, Ash said, a technology that places a person in a pure oxygen environment for health benefits and healing.
To make room for such services, Vintage is in the early stages of leasing another nearby location in the Scott Addition area. Once occupied, the position focuses on the business’s recovery offerings.
Once set up, the recovery room offers IV therapy for injuries, supplementation and stretching sessions, Ash said.
Vintage sells about 300 t-shirts a month. Designs are printed on action t-shirts and a tattoo artist designs the gym’s original logo.
Often, boxing gyms run on government grants to teach the movement to at-risk youth. As a profit, Vintage does not receive financial subsidies, but the membership fee allows to work with those who are really committed to the sport or want to give it later in life.
“I know how hard it is for people walking in the door,” Ash said. “I like to thank everyone who comes here.”
The proceeds range from merchandise to vintage supplies, from clothing to boxing gear. Jim sells about 300 T-shirts each month, Ash says, and from time to time ships internationally.
Participating fighters are required to wear safety gear such as arm wraps or headgear, so Vintage offers its own custom gear ready for sale. Ashes is an opportunity that many boxing gyms overlook.
Vintage currently has eight coaches on staff, who are part of a team of 15 employees, including front desk staff, social media and marketing staff, and the general manager.
Ash said the gym has about 400 members. According to the website, adult and youth memberships cost $165 a month, with a $35 sign-up fee. Another program is “Access to Box,” which costs $140 a month.
As the name suggests, Vintage Boxing focuses on the old school style of sport. In Asch’s view, the new practices that emerged served to make boxing look cool rather than allowing the fighter to find his own style over time.
There are only a few old-school boxing gyms in Richmond, Ash said, naming nonprofits like the Powell Police Athletic League. Titled on the flip side is Boxing Club, a franchise that offers a non-contact cardio version of the sport.
Josiyah Giles, right, has been training in vintage boxing since he was 15. At 20, he is going to turn professional.
Vintage actively works with professional boxers. One of Ash’s trained boxers was Giuseppe Cusumano, who competed on a Showtime program featuring Jake Paul and other famous fighters.
Josiah Giles, who turned 20 today, is Josiah Giles, who fought to become a professional. He has been training with Ash since he was 15 and is a regular at The River City Invitational. When not training, he is working as a coach at Vintage.
“He’s going to be world champion,” Ash said with certainty.
With the River City Invitational winding down to its final round this Saturday, the competition has convinced Ash to continue hosting events like this one, even if it’s not every month. The next one is predicted at the beginning of November, which may be followed by one in March.
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