Boxing in Lowell

June 10, 2010 by Marie Posted in Uncategorized, Culture, Current Events, History 2 Comments

Art Ramalho at work in his West End Gym

There is a long boxing tradtion in Lowell. From the Silver Mittens training and bouts back at the Immaculate Conception CYO and later the Boys Club to the local, regional and national Golden Gloves bouts and tournaments and onward to the professional boxing scene, Lowell has done it all. With guys like Arthur Ramalho boxing is a tool – a way to get to the tough kids in any Lowell neighborhood and give them a chance and give them respect.

In a Globe North story today, writer Karen Sackowitz focuses on Arthur Ramahlo the West End Gym boxing guru who has run a gym and trained fighters since 1968. Yes, Lowell’s “Irish” Mickey Ward – the subject of the upcoming film “The Fighter” is part of the story, but the heart of the tale is Ramalho and the way –  in the words of Lowell police officers Mike Miles and Mickey O’Keefe – “he changes the lives of so many kids.” Arthur has a philosophy and it seems to work –

“I have a saying,’’ he said. “Building boys is better than mending men.’’

You can read more about Arthur Ramalho, the making of the Mickey Ward movie – “The Fighter” – in the Lowell environs and at The West End Gym on Lawrence Street here  in the Globe.

2 Responses to Boxing in Lowell

  1. John Quealey says:

    Art Ramalhos West End Gym is in the Grove across the street where most of the blog
    gers aunts and uncles were born.
    The gym is in the old Waterhead mill also known as Hockymers.