A Lifetime Experience

Stepping into Broadway Boxing Gym in South Central Los Angeles might seem daunting at first, but for many, it feels like coming home. “We are trying to be a second home,” says Sauchsee Larkins, who runs the gym alongside her father and son in the heart of Watts. With a mission to provide a safe haven for the community, Sauchsee creates a nurturing environment designed to keep kids off the streets and away from gangs. She knows everyone by name, embracing the role of a “gym mom” who ensures that after-school visitors have food to eat, fosters mutual respect, and maintains harmony among the gym’s members.
Broadway Boxing Gym is an institution, steeped in decades of history and the grit of old-school boxing. Champions, including actor Mickey Rourke, have trained within its walls, but Sauchsee is quick to note, “The most modern thing we have is a treadmill—you’ve got to use your body for all the other stuff.” Legendary trainers like Jesse Burnett, a former champion who grew up in the neighborhood, embody the gym’s enduring spirit. Once involved in gangs, Jesse found purpose within the ring and now dedicates himself to mentoring others. “This is my heaven,” he says, reflecting on the transformative power of the sport. For Sauchsee, boxing is more than technique and competition; it’s a discipline that teaches respect, perseverance, and life lessons that extend far beyond the ropes—a lifetime experience for those who step through the doors.