Boxer Lev Jackson knew early last Saturday morning it was going to be a tough day. He discovered on Facebook a fire had destroyed the business below the Commercial Drive gym he helped build and where he has trained and coached young people for the last six months.
His friend worked at Woodland Smokehouse and Commissary and posted the news that the restaurant had been completely gutted by the 5 a.m., Nov. 2 fire. Soon the news Jackson feared was confirmed. Eastside Boxing Club was closed indefinitely due to severe smoke and water damage. The ring, punching bags, gloves and other equipment bought with donations less than a year ago are mostly unusable.
Eastside Boxing Club is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run gym that offers subsidized classes for at-risk youth and free training for women who faced violence and abuse. Jackson said from eight to 25 East Side and Gastown residents were training in the gym per day.
The Canadian featherweight champion said although he had a fight that Saturday night to mentally prepare for, his thoughts were on the youth who have relied on the gym as a safe place to hang out and train after school.
A statement released by Eastside Boxing Club describes the uphill battle the organization faces. “The financial and logistical factors involved in rebuilding what was lost that day are overwhelming,” said the release.
After he heard the news, Jackson headed down to the gym and salvaged gear for his fight. He could still smell smoke as he fought and lost against Francis John Codilla for the B.C. title at the Imperial on Main Street that night.
Jackson said he doesn’t ever make excuses for a loss and gives credit to Codilla for beating him, but admitted he was distracted by thoughts of the fire and for the many people from his club who came out to support him.
“In the dressing room before the fight we weren’t talking game plan for the fight, we were talking game plan for where everything is supposed to go with this now— with the fire.”
Jackson, who helped raise money to open the club, said its walls are papered with photos torn from his old boxing magazines. He said the priority now is making sure the kids can find a new place to train.
Joe Foster of Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said the cause of the fire is still under investigation but appears to have started in an office off the restaurant. He said even if there isn’t structural damage to the building it will likely be some time before the club can reopen at that location.
Club assistant coach Jordan Bowers said the loss of momentum hurts the most. “We haven’t realized our potential,” he said, adding the club and its participants were just reaching their stride competitively. He said they will wait for the damage report and either renovate or find a new venue.
The most important thing is no one was hurt, he said. “Everything else is replaceable. ”
A fundraising campaign in support of the club has been started. Email the gym directly for information at info@eastsideboxing.ca.
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