Boxing has taken New York City by storm as professionals, businessmen, and models are all clamoring for the full body sweat filled workout. Somehow it has become vogue in the NY fashion world too. Luxury designers like Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Chanel are partaking in the rage. Louis Vuitton created signature boxing gloves, mat, and boxing bag for a hefty price tag of $175,000.00. While the design house Chanel fashioned a boxing ring inside the Fifth Avenue department store Bergdorf Goodman, Ralph Lauren has completely outfitted his Madison Avenue window displays as a Brooklyn boxing club. It’s the hottest fitness phenomenon in NYC, but Gus already knew this.
Welcome to the house that Gus built. Perfecting and honing his skills over the past 2 decades, Gus is as authentic a trainer as one can get. His 5’5 150 pound frame holds confidence, charisma, and a sneaky sense of humor. With abs of steel, a larger than life personality and a resume that includes training with boxing legends like Oscar De La Hoya, Arturo Gatti, David Tua, Hector Macho Camacho and Zab Judah, Gus is the complete package.
Beginning his career at age 19, Gus apprenticed under the legendary boxing Hall of Fame manager and trainer Lou Duva. With 19 World champions under his belt, Lou passed his training secrets onto Gus. “I have a lot of Lou’s traits when it comes to boxing training and handling of fighters from being around him for so many years, but what I learned most from him was how to keep fighters from getting stagnant in the gym and to keep training hard but fun.”
To his own credit, Gus has trained a variety of notable fighters: 3 Time World Lightweight Champion Stevie Johnston, heavyweight contender Mike Marrone, British and W.B.U. Champion Graham Earl, and W.B.F, W.B.C. and I.B.F. Asian pacific Heavyweight Champion Sherman “Tank” Williams. And when the 2012 Chinese National and Olympic team was reaching for gold they reached across the Pacific to hire the best trainer, Gus Curren.
Entering his gym is like entering the ring; it’s hot and intimidating. But once you see Gus, his smile is welcoming and reassuring.
Gus brings the same training philosophy when training kids and adults. So whether you’ve come to train like a pro or be a pro, there’s a sense of empowerment and accomplishment when working with Gus. Several years ago a 68-year-old woman with Parkinson’s disease asked to box with Gus. Her commitment to training was exceptional as she learned how to punch and move correctly. Gus proudly says her improvement was better than he ever imagined.
For those who want to train like a pro, the boxing classes include everything from push-ups, pull-ups, planks, and running to sparring, it’s intense. Just about the time of complete exhaustion, Gus lets you know it’s time for the abs workout. After the timer bell rings, the final exercise begins. He flashes his six-pack abs, smiles and says, “Want these, let’s go, pick-it up.” At the end of an hour session, you feel a sense of accomplishment with a workout never experienced before. When leaving with your tired smile, you understand the newspaper clipping and pictures that adorn the wall really reinforce the legacy that Gus’s boxing gym is for Champions!
Sidebar: Tips from Gus
The most important things in boxing are timing and distance
Timing: Depending on the style of fighter, you are either the bull or the matador and sometimes you have to be both. The more you make the other guy move his feet to try to get to you the better. To land hard punches your feet should be in a good solid foundation. If you can make your opponent constantly move his feet while you are getting off your punches, there is less chance of your opponent landing something hard. It’s impossible to throw hard punches while moving your feet.
Distance: Knowing where to be to avoid harm while being able to land maximum power in your punches and creating angles is key.
