New Thomas LaManna Interview: New Skylyfe Gym in Millville For Boxing Youth
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In a new exclusive interview with Real Combat Media, middleweight prospect Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna of Millville, New Jersey, has founded the new Skylyfe Gym in Millville, a nonprofit gym designed to give back to the youth in his community. Skylyfee stands for ‘Live Your Future Every day’.
Real Combat Media: “Thomas, why found a gym in your hometown of Millville now? Currently you are focused on your rising career as a professional middleweight boxer.”
Thomas LaManna: “I wanted to establish a boxing gym on my own. This is everything I wanted to do besides being world middleweight champion, to give back to my community.”
Real Combat Media: “Explain your motivation. What youth are you trying to reach?”
Thomas LaManna: “Kids are getting into drug gangs on the street. Kids have nowhere to go. I just wanted to give back to the people. I was given a chance at the Boys and Girls Club of Vineland (New Jersey).”
Real Combat Media: “What is the status of the gym right now?”
Thomas LaManna: “We are in the process of fundraising. The site of the new gym will be a former martial arts school. The gym will be for just boxing. I just want to make a boxing school for youth and grown people to go to, for ages eight and up.”
Real Combat Media: “In your new gym, your role will be as a trainer.”
Thomas LaManna: “I always want to be involved in boxing in whatever way possible.”
Real Combat Media: “Thomas, what are your personal goals in your life?”
Thomas LaManna: “Right now, my goals are: one, to keep winning; two, to become a world champion; and three, to do anything positive I can for boxing.”
Real Combat Media: “Tommy, how will you get area youth into the boxing gym? What will you tell them?”
Thomas LaManna: “I want a place for kids to go, especially in Millville, where there’s no place to go, we go to Vineland. If I can tell a kid how to work his jab and make him a world champion, that’s what I want to do.”
Real Combat Media: “What part of Millville will your new boxing gym be located in?”
Thomas LaManna: “The spot I want for the new gym is in an industrial area. The owner (of the building) is friendly and is willing to work with me, whatever I want to do.”
Real Combat Media: “Describe the layout planned for your new gym.”
Thomas LaManna: “The gym is a big space with high ceilings, with a bathroom, big enough to put in a 20 foot elevated ring. Once the dollars get there, it’s definitely gonna happen.”
Real Combat Media: “How will you raise money for the new gym?”
Thomas LaManna: “Interested contributors can go to http://www.gofundme.com/3sx7p8 Anybody can donate whatever. The gym will host Vineland, Millville and Philadelphia region amateur shows.”
Real Combat Media: “When do you fight next, Tommy?”
Thomas LaManna: “I’ll be fighting Joshua Robertson on a Top Rank card at Bally’s Event Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September 28, 2013.”
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