Hittaz Gym goes national, building next generation of Capital Region Boxers
Tue, August 25, 2026 at 5:34 PM
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WRGB — A group of young fighters from Albany are leaving their mark on the national stage. Team Hittaz secured six national titles in their most recent competition. (Photo Courtesy: Hittaz Boxing Gym)
Albany, N.Y. (WRGB) —Boxing’s roots run deep in the Capital Region, from Catskills legend “Iron” Mike Tyson to current top super-featherweight Abraham Nova. Now, a new group of young fighters from Albany are making their own mark on the national stage
Hittaz Boxing Gym returned from Orlando, Florida with a perfect showing at the World of Havoc tournaments, winning six national titles in six attempts across various weight classes. Leonard, Mechi, Akai, Amaya, Amir and Farquhar each earned the first national title of their young careers
Hittaz Gym Boxing ChampionsPDF preview
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These champions have spent months — and in many cases years — putting in long hours of training and discipline while working to become the best athletes they can be. The group, ranging in age from 11 to 16, has grown close inside and outside the ring, sparring with each other and pushing one another in training
While boxing is an individual sport, the team’s sweep stood out as a rare accomplishment, with Hittaz Gym bringing home a full set of national titles as a group
When I actually sat back and reflected after the tournament, I was like wow we actually went six-for-six. I’ve been coaching about 15 years. Having a new group that has the same potential to bring it to the next level, is exciting to see where they’re going to go. -Tyshaun Goldston (Head coach, Hittaz boxing gym)
The gym invited CBS6 Sports to meet and interview the young athletes and their coaches, calling their achievement “something incredibly special” and saying it is a point of pride for the gym and neighborhood. The gym also said it hopes the fighters’ success can inspire other local children “to never give up on their dreams.”
With the national titles secured, the champions are now shifting their focus to what the gym described as the “Super Bowl of tournaments” — the USA Boxing National Championships in December
