By Wil Crews
sportscrews@
opelikaobserver.com
OPELIKA —
Out Tha Mudd Boxing LLC is open as Opelika’s newest boxing gym.
Located at 1051 South Fox Run Parkway Unit 3, Owner Rod Welch is excited about the potential to grow his business in the area.
While he didn’t start boxing until later in life, Welch is a USA Boxing referee and judge, a silver-certified coach with USA Boxing — of which there are only 32 in the nation — and a Golden Gloves winner. The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States.
Welch said he wants his customers to know they are getting quality instruction when attending his gym.
“Out Tha Mudd boxing is a 100% boxing gym,” he said. ”But, we do everything. Whether you want to be a competitor or just stay in shape, we are going to get you to your goals.”
In addition to providing regular boxing classes, Out Tha Mudd Boxing operates on a gym-like membership structure — what Welch calls subscriptions — to offer a complete fitness routine to its customers.
“That’s the best way to learn boxing,” Welch said of the subscriptions. “You have the whole month, three-to-four days a week to train. And you also are getting fitness [training] with the boxing as well. That’s the best way to do it whether you want to compete, learn self-defense or just stay in shape.”
Welch said he ultimately felt the need to open the gym in Opelika because of his desire to help youth.
“I think it keeps a lot of kids out of trouble,” he said. “That’s our main goal.”
Welch believes boxing can provide “a way out” for youth who haven’t experienced much of the world outside of their hometown.
“It helps people realize that the world is bigger than one city, one small area,” he said. “When I take guys to compete or to go see a fight, it lets them see the world from a better view.”
Outside of the chance to become an elite boxing competitor, Out Tha Mudd can provide the average person with numerous health benefits.
“It helps with everybody else too, dealing with stress, depression, anxiety — it helps clear your mind,” Welch said.
Welch said he and his staff are looking forward to the opportunity to serve the community, and even hope to host some fights in the near future to help generate the boxing buzz.
The grand opening for Out Tha Mudd Boxing was held on Monday, Aug. 15. The gym is open every day from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit its Facebook page, Out Tha Mudd Boxing LLC.