mixed martial arts news for the free fighting aficionado

A New Gym

The other night I went to see a new fighter that’s making his debut at next Saturday’s Reality Fighting III (in Bayonne NJ,) at a recently opened boxing gym, called PUNCH Boxing, the General Manager of the “PUNCH” boxing gym is Frank Burchette, an experienced boxing trainer who knows the game well and now he’s been helping out the mixed martial artists sharpen there boxing skills. PUNCH boxing is located in Astoria, and has got to be one of the cleanest gyms I’ve ever been to. It’s got everything you need for serious boxing training or if you’re just looking to get back into shape, I highly recommend you come by and visit this gym. Even the beautiful girls at the front desk are pleasant, yes beautiful girls! This place goes to show you that a good boxing gym does not have to smell bad, have little ventilation and look grungy. Being open only 2 months it’s already starting to standout in the neighborhood, on any given day you’ll find a bunch children who are being trained by Burchette, this gym is more than boxing for the children that go there, with the way things are these days children need a place to go where positive direction and good mentoring are foremost and not secondary, after all it is the summer and most day camps are too pricey for the normal working parents , besides what kid wants to stay at home during the summer. With a trainer and mentor like Burchette, this place is going to be a stand-out gym for the sport. This gym is just what the neighborhood needed, I know, I used to live about 8 blocks away and my barber is still a block and a half away from the PUNCH.

New Fighters

The fighter I came by to see was Fresh Meadows resident, Gus Indjeyiannis. Gus is being trained and managed by Steve Katz (CMA). When I arrived to the gym, Gus was in the ring with the well known and respected Muay Thai fighter/trainer Aziz Nebih of the SITAN MUAY THAI GYM going through kicking drills. Aziz is what I’d call a hands on trainer, who’s ability to motivate fighters is rarely seen, he’s one of the city’s (if not the best) best Muay Thai trainers you can find. After seeing Gus go through combination after combination shows and tells me this guy is ready for anyone. Can he punch? I kind of think so after all his steady boxing sparring partner is Kostas Symiakos an amateur Heavyweight boxer who’s going to be representing Greece in the Heavyweight Class in the up coming Olympic Games. Kostas is presently being trained by Frank Burchette, who taking him to the next level in his preparation for the Olympic Games. After seeing Kostas spar a few rounds, I’ll say this much, not only can this guy punch accurately, he’s got speed, movement and his combos where flowing. “Gus has been sparring with Kostas for some time”, says Steve Katz, then went on to say, “wait til you see his ground game”. I can believe it cause Gus trained for years with Danny Suarez at the Progressive Martial Arts Academy.

Predictions?

How do I think Gus will do in his first mma fight? He looks ready for the fight, his workout ethics are excellent, what more can I say. Steve Katz tells me either way Rocco Giordano wants to take this fight, standing up or on the ground, Gus will be at 100% and ready for him.

Kostas Symiakos

Photos of the fighters at the Punch Boxing Gym

Aziz and Gus

kicking drills

Gus Indjeyiannis & Steven Katz

The Punch Boxing Gym's crew

Punch Boxing Gym's Mascot

*The above photographs are the property of FFI and are copyrighted, if you'd like to use any thes photos for comerical use please contact us at info@freefightingillustrated.com

We wish to thank Frank Burchette for allowing us access to the Punch Boxing Gym. The Punch Boxing Gym is located at 14-43 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106. For more information, Frank Burchette can be reached at 718-726-4303

Editor/Webmaster FFI

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