MIKE FERA

Mike Fera is the general manager at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym & Computer Lab.

He makes sure the operation always runs smoothly. Whether it’s mentoring youth, making sure the gym is clean, or making certain the gym is open for events, Mike will handle just about anything that needs to get done. His experience with different youth organizations over the years has made him a crucial part of this non-profit organization and an adviser and confidant for many young people. Mike brings to this facility his fair but no nonsense reputation from his long history with Cement Masons Local 592.

 

           DANNY DAVIS

Danny Davis is both a student and a teacher of the fight game.

One of the world-class trainers at the Joe Hand Gym, Danny learned his craft from some of the best fighters and trainers in the country, including Bouie Fisher, Freddie Roach, Bernard Hopkins and John David Jackson. Danny enjoyed a tremendous 10-year amateur boxing career, highlighted by a 1991 National Golden Gloves title at 106 pounds. After a brief pro career, Danny began training in 2003. His work with the pads soon caught the eye of Hopkins. Danny joined his camp and became a mainstay on Team Hopkins. Now, the best are flocking to Danny for his strength and conditioning program. His client list only includes many top fighters professional athletes, and celebrities. In 2015, continuing to spread his boxing knowledge, Danny became a USA Boxing official referee. But for Danny, who worked previously in the juvenile justice system, it isn’t training celebrities or top contenders that attracted him to the gym. More important was the chance to again be involved in the lives of kids.

           WADE HINNANT

Wade Hinnant turned pro in 1975, and eventually developed into a top-rated trainer.

Hinnant went 35-6 as an amateur boxer out of the Athletic Rec Center at 26th and Masters in Philadelphia. He turned pro at 16 and won his first 12 professional fights. Wade went 14-2 before a reoccurring eye injury cut short his career.

Fortunately for the Joe Hand Boxing Gym, Wade stuck with the sport and developed a love for teaching the game to the next generation. He joined the gym with his brother, Randy, in 2001 and the pair have trained many of Philly’s best fighters.

           RANDY HINNANT

Trainer Randy Hinnant enjoys working on the big stage.

His career as a top-flight trainer has taken him around the world to prepare fighters for big matches. Randy twice traveled to Germany to compete for a title with middleweight contender Lajuan Simon. Along with his brother, Wade, he has left his fingerprints on many of Philly’s top fighters. Randy certainly enjoys the travel, but just as important is his work with the young kids at the gym. Randy started boxing as a kid himself at the Athletic Rec Center at 26th and Masters in Philadelphia. He never turned pro, but enjoyed about 20 amateur fights. Randy joined Joe Hand Gym with his brother Wade in 2001.

           MARVIN STINSON

When you meet Marvin Stinson, be prepared to work.

Marvin's resume includes training and fighting with some of the biggest heavyweight champions of the world: Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, and Cuban legend Teofilo Stevenson. Back in 1971, Marvin would hitchhike 25 miles each day to Philadelphia to learn the art of boxing. An oustanding amatuer career that included over 300 bouts proved that Marvin was taught well. At age 25, Marvin turned pro and quickly won his first nine fights, five by knockout. After only nine more fights, Marvin decided to end his fighting career, but not his boxing job. In 1979, Larry Holmes hired Marvin as a sparring partner. Along with Holmes, Marvin worked with a young Mike Tyson to prepare for the 1984 Olympic trials. Today, Marvin is busy working with the next generation of fighters at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym.

           MALEEK JACKSON

Maleek Jackson is the first in the gym at 7 a.m., and some days, he’s the last to leave.

Maleek is a personal trainer at the Joe Hand Gym and a favorite of everyone. Maleek works with every client imaginable, from children to lawyers to doctors, and even professional athletes. Among the notable clients Maleek has worked with since joining the gym in 2013 are the Temple men’s basketball team, NBA player Dion Waiters, and rapper Meek Mill. Hoping to give opportunities to as many kids as possible, Maleek started a sponsorship program for underprivileged children. He finds business, clients, or people he knows in the community to sponsor a child and give them access to the gym and computer lab. Maleek has been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and Ring Magazine. He has also been featured on MTV2.