Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring adult people who offer hope, guidance, and encouragement. This is exactly what Ross Puritty is doing for some of the inner city youths of Wichita, Kansas. Puritty believes that all young people deserve and have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society. However not all young people are given the support they need to thrive in today’s environment. Puritty volunteers his time to teach these inner city kids to learn the disciplined sport of boxing. The kids trained by Puritty are being exposed to a world that previously seemed untouchable. Puritty’s training and with the help of Andy Zerger’s JMTK Gym has helped these kids realize that they could do things they would have never thought possible. The Ross Puritty training program has helped these kids build self-confidence, discipline and dedication. Which is applied to their daily lives, helping the kids build positive attitudes and do better in school. The highly regarded 6,000 square foot gym hosts professional fighters including 3 fighters from the World Combat League’s Oklahoma Destroyers Johnny “The Saint” McKibben, Donovan Smith and Douglas “Whirlwind” Edwards. Puritty and JMTK Gym trainers teach these young kids the value of hard work, self-discipline and respect which sets these kids down the right path. Many of these kids enjoy and are thankful for the opportunity that they train up to 5 days a week and say that boxing motivates them and thank boxing for being their best.
