Sudbury’s Top Glove Academy has changed lives for 36 years

Top Glove Boxing Academy in Sudbury had an open house Thursday night to share some stories about the work they have done in the past 36 years.

Top Glove Boxing Academy in Sudbury had an open house Thursday night to share some stories about the work they have done in the community in the past 36 years.

Gord Apolloni, Top Glove Boxing Academy’s head coach and general manager, said the time has flown by.

“I just thought about developing boxers and athletes,” Apolloni said.

“And then all of a sudden we’re at 36 (years). What the heck?”

Many people at the event said boxing changed their lives and welcomed them into a new family.

“It forces everybody to kind of consider, for at least a moment, maybe they could be better in some other capacity -- physically, mentally, spiritually, whatever,” said Alex Cacciotti, a referee at the gym.

Opens doors

“Boxing opens that door for people.”

“For me personally, I love coming here because boxing is my passion, and it’s really hard to think of anything else except for saying I love boxing,” said Tylar Peter.

The gym offers programs that Apolloni said are designed to help develop better citizens in the community. But the experience also made people want to pursue boxing on a higher level.

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe said Top Glove has helped man at-risk youth.

“It’s often talked about some of the work that (Apolloni has) done with some youths who were going down the wrong path,” Lapointe said.

“He brings them in here and he’s able to really give them so much good purpose and create so many better goals for themselves.”

Apolloni said boxing shows young people a better path for their lives.

“It’s a confidence builder,” he said.

“They come here and they’re able to do stuff that, like exercises, are activities that most normal kids don’t get to do.”

Sense of belonging

Rayann Vardalia said the club offers a sense of belonging.

“I just like being with everyone here,” Vardalia said.

“The development, community.”

Boxing has inspired him to achieve more in his life, said Connor Mills.

“My goal is to go pretty high in the sport,” Mills said.

“I love it. I want to succeed in this.”

Top Glove also offers programs for adults like Amber Konikow, who began boxing when she was 27.

By her early 30s, she reached nationals.

“There were some things that I never thought that I could actually do,” Konikow said.

“And (Apolloni) saw that in me. We worked on it and the next you know, I’m winning.”

After 55 years in boxing, Apolloni said his next hurdle is to find a successor.

“No one here in Sudbury has the will, has the drive, the passion I have, I guess,” said Apolloni.

“If someone wants to help out, let me know.”