Hugh Lewis/Jefferson Jimplecute
While Morgan Jackson may not be the next Joe Frazier, or Muhammad Ali, he is looking for the next knockout opportunity to help change someone’s life.
“I don’t necessarily want to be the next coach for Floyd Mayweather or anything like that,” said Jackson. “But I want guys and girls to have an outlet and a way to get away from stress.”
Jackson owns and is the coach at Mojo Boxing, 317 Polk Street.
Jackson said the space for the gym was as much a blessing as an opportunity as the owners have been very helpful in getting him started. He started offering the boxing classes at the Jefferson Community Center, but there wasn’t enough continual interest in attending there, so he moved over to Polk Street.
“I struggled when I was young,” he said, “and I ended up picking up a pair of boxing gloves. My life changed around them. Especially when you walk around and think ‘Oh, well, I’m a big guy.’ Then you get in the ring for the first time. And they show you you’re not. So you learn about hard work and dedication and better yourself along the way.”
The boxing club is still small, but Jackson hopes to continue growing it.
“The youngest participant is my son, who’s 7,” Jackson said. “I have two eight year olds, a nine year-old, two 10 year olds. And then I have two 13 year-olds but they actually work out on an adult class. They’re too big for the little kids.”
Jackson also trains adults, the oldest of which is in her 70s.
The gym meets at least twice a week with the kids, and adults meet as often as they can, Jackson said.
“I’ll text everyone and say ‘Hey, I’m training tonight’ and people will start showing up,” he said.
The gym has been open for four months and Jackson says it’s about right. “If it keeps going like this, I’m going to have to hire another coach! Which is good because I still work a fulltime job.”
Jackson recently received his green level coaching certification from USA Boxing and is working with other area gyms to give his students more opportunities.
Several of the members traveled to Dement Brothers Boxing Club in Bossier City last weekend for some sparring matches.
Jackson said all of the fighters did really well.
“I had one guy get knocked down twice, but not only did he get up and keep fighting he took a 2nd and 3rd fight right after.”
Jackson is still taking students and costs are designed to be reasonable for the community. He offers once or twice a week sessions in their one-on-one training or with a group for monthly fees starting at $75. He also offers a per-session fee for those wanting to just see if they like it.
Jackson is from the Permian Basin area of Texas and had the nickname of “Mojo” growing up and says it just seemed like a good fit for the club.
Eventually he hopes to expand the gym and have a professional ring and more equipment to offer more training and opportunities to students.
“I want to get [the students] to a level beyond me so I can hand them off to the next coach and they can do even more,” Jackson said.
Mojo Boxing can be reached at 903-601-2737, for more information or to signup.