Champ’s Gym: Where Champions Are Made

Youth boxing and athletic training in Roanoke, Virginia since 1972. No experience necessary. Free to join.

What Is Champ’s Gym?

A collage of photos showing a diverse group of people, mostly young men, at a boxing gym. The photos include people training, posing with boxing gloves, and group photos outside and inside the gym.

Champ's Gym is one of Roanoke's oldest and most trusted youth athletic programs. Founded in 1972 by Earnest "Champ" Cabbler and James Cabbler, the gym was built on a simple premise - that the discipline of boxing could change the trajectory of a young person's life. More than fifty years later, that premise has been proven right thousands of times over.

Champ's Gym operates as a division of Melrose Athletic Club, Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Boxing training is $50 per month per youth. No experience is required to join. If cost is ever a barrier, reach out to us directly - we will never turn a kid away. Just a coach, a corner, and a commitment to showing up for Roanoke's next generation.

It’s More Than Boxing

Ask any parent whose child trains here and they will tell you the same thing. The boxing is real, but it is not the point. Inside these ropes, young people learn discipline that follows them to the classroom, respect that follows them home, and confidence that follows them everywhere. Every session is structured. Every athlete is held accountable. Every kid is seen.

That is why mentorship is built into every single day at Champ's Gym, not bolted on as an afterthought. Our coaches are in these kids' corners long after the gloves come off, checking on grades, talking through problems, and showing up the way consistent adults are supposed to. Fifty years of champions came out of this gym. The ones we are proudest of never turned pro. They turned into good men and women.

Meet Your Coach’s

Logo featuring a stylized outline of a person in black, divided into red and blue halves, with the letters 'M', 'A', and 'C' in white with red and blue accents surrounding the figure.

Every coach, mentor, and leader at Melrose Athletic Club is here for one reason. Your kid.

The strength of Melrose Athletic Club has never been in its equipment or its facilities. It has always been in its people. The coaches and mentors who give their time, their experience, and their presence to the youth of Roanoke are the reason this organization has lasted more than fifty years.

Our team brings decades of combined experience in athletic training, youth development, and community mentorship. Every person who works with our youth is committed to one standard - show up consistently, invest genuinely, and never give up on a kid who hasn't given up on themselves.

Ready to Get Started?

Champ's Gym is open to Roanoke youth ages 8 and up. Boxing training is $50 per month per youth. No experience is required and no child will be turned away for inability to pay - reach out to us directly and we will work something out.

To get started, reach out to us directly. Our current schedule is built around our volunteer coaching staff and availability can vary. Contact us to find out about current days, times, and open gym sessions. We will get you the information you need and make sure your child has a spot.

If you are in a position to give something back, a donation at enrollment goes a long way toward keeping our doors open and our coaches on the floor. Every dollar helps us build toward a more consistent program for every kid in this community. But if you cannot give, that is okay too. Just show up. That is enough.

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Champs Gym FAQs

  • How old does my child need to be to join Champ's Gym?

    We welcome youth ages 8 and up. No experience is necessary, our coaches work with beginners at every level and meet every athlete where they are.

  • How much does Champ's Gym cost?

    Champ's Gym boxing training is $50 per month per youth. Champ's Gym is a division of Melrose Athletic Club, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We believe cost should never be a barrier to opportunity - if you cannot afford the monthly fee, reach out to us directly and we will work something out.

  • What should my child bring to their first session?

    Just themselves and a willingness to work. We will take care of the rest. Comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers are all they need to get started.

  • Is boxing safe for kids?

    Absolutely. Our training is structured, supervised, and age-appropriate. Safety is our first priority on the gym floor. Every session is coached by experienced staff who prioritize proper technique and a controlled training environment.

  • How do I sign up?

    Contact us directly through our website or by phone. Our schedule is built around our coaching staff availability - reach out and we will get your child squared away with current session times and next steps.

Fifty Years In. Still Fighting For Roanoke's Youth.

Your donation keeps our doors open and our athletes on the floor.

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Donate to M.A.C