Boxing instructor ends classes; Morey Courts to replace with Zumba
Vestaburg resident Lonnie McQueen will be soon throwing his last punch as an instructor in the boxing ring of Morey Courts.
He started teaching boxing in 1998 and has taught in Mount Pleasant since 2008. In Mount Pleasant he began at JP’s Gym until its closure, then moved on to teaching at Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Road.
“I would like to help the community and even CMU,” McQueen said. “Just a little bit of self defense goes a long way.”
Mount Pleasant resident Chip Neyome, who occasionally fills in for McQueen when needed, said McQueen is very personable, happy and outgoing.
“As far as first impressions go, he’s really open to people, so anybody can come in and box,” he said.
Bringing people up to the ring can be intimidating, but McQueen said he is trying to build their self-esteem.
McQueen built the boxing ring at Morey Courts from scratch by himself two years ago with funds from his sponsorship with Everlast.
Now, Morey Courts wants the ring removed by the end of November, making it so McQueen will be unable to teach his classes.
In place of the ring, Morey Courts plans to put in Zumba classes, he said.
“Community interest is what it’s all about I guess but I have not had anything negative about this,” McQueen said.
Although McQueen said people leave his boxing classes with smiles on their faces, he has not seen any kind of reward or pay since May.
He said he has in writing that he should get a percent for each member in his class, but May was the last time he saw any compensation. Representatives from Morey Courts declined comment. He wants to keep teaching, though he has no future endeavors planned at the moment.
“Boxing, as far as the program goes for individuals in the community, is a really good opportunity for people who want to learn fighting or self defense,” Neyome said. “It’s a big morale-booster and it helps with the ability to feel good about walking around and (to) help other people.”
McQueen’s other job has been working as a correction officer at night for the last 12 years.
He said being a correction officer is a negative atmosphere, which makes his stress level go up. He said boxing is what helps him lower his stress because he has a passion for it.
“After you learn the self defense moves, your self-esteem is boosting another percent,” McQueen said. “I don’t degrade or judge anybody here.”
