Keweenaw Boxing Club coach Brendon Stutzman (left) teaches a female boxer during an open gym at the Copper Country Curling Club in Calumet. (Photo provided)

CALUMET — Tucked away in the back of the Copper Country Curling Club building is a quiet group of unassuming people working on everything from their stance to their positioning, and everything in between. They are part of the Keweenaw Boxing Club.

If he is not teaching or coaching, Brendon Stutzman can be found mopping floors. He has been studying the art of self-defense for more than 20 years. He competed at the amateur level from 2006-19.

He studied wrestling, boxing, BJJ, MMA, and Jeet Kune Do during his career after leaving the military. Injuries suffered in bouts and training, both for combat sports, and for actual military combat, eventually forced him to look into coaching, instead of competing.

“I competed in not just boxing, but mixed martial arts for about 13 years,” he said. “Last summer, I was actually in physical therapy for my back. I have a back injury from my military days, and I was just kind of at home a lot and didn’t have a lot to do. So, I went online, and I was like, ‘I’ll get my USA Boxing coaching certificate.’ I did that kind of just for fun. And then (I) started reaching out to friends and got a couple people who were like, ‘Yeah, I want to train some boxing with you.’

“We started meeting up in Agassiz Park, hanging a heavy bag from a tree, and started training over there.”

It did not take long for boxing workouts in the park to turn into something bigger.

“We just started getting more and more participation, and we kind of outgrew the outdoor space,” said Stutzman. “With the winter and snow coming, we had to get a roof over our heads. We kind of asked all over and eventually found (Calumet Township Supervisor) Tim Gasperich. I guess he’s the township supervisor over here, and he agreed to let us use this space.”

Once they found the roof they needed for continued training, the next step was equipment.

“We started using this space here and continued to grow,” Stutzman said. “We had a GoFundMe campaign to buy a bunch of equipment that met its goal of, like, $1,000. We were able to buy all this good stuff. Now we have young boxers like Ian here, who’s 18, and hungry for an amateur and pro career. It’s been great.”

In the posted club bio, the goal of the Keweenaw Boxing Club is to foster a positive, safe, and inclusive training environment, and grow the martial arts community and culture in the Copper Country.

To this point, advertising for the club has been strictly word of mouth, driven heavily by Drew Cramer, from Ghost House Farm.

“I call him our chief ambassador,” said Stutzman. “He’s a farmer over at Ghost House Farm, and he has just been a huge advocate for the club. At the Farmer’s Market, he’s just telling everybody who comes to his farm stand. He’s like, ‘Oh, you should come to boxing.’ That’s really how we grew. I have to give all credit to Drew Cramer.”

With boxing not being a popular sport in the Copper Country, Stutzman likes that he sees a wide variety of interested people stopping by for their open gyms the club hosts.

“We get a full range of experience level in here,” he said. “We have a lot of beginners who come in, and they’re certainly welcome. But, then we have guys like Ian, who have a little more experience. Ian can kind of help out, and give the other people pointers too. It’s more of that club mentality of everybody pitching in to teach and to grow the club.”

No prior experience is necessary.

“Some people come in with zero experience, and I can get them moving like a boxer by the end of an hour,” said Stutzman. “Other people need a lot more 1-on-1 time to develop the skill set. Everybody’s different, and we’re happy to be flexible with anybody’s progression.”

Stutzman said the club is trying to be as inclusive as possible, which makes for interesting nights where women outnumber the men.

“Some days women outnumber the men here, for sure,” he said. “We’re trying to be extremely inclusive and inviting to not just men and women, but all kinds of people who might want to come out, and try boxing out for the first time. We’re trying to be as non-intimidating as possible.”

Since the club is nonprofit, the club asks for a nominal donation for the open gyms.
”It’s a $5 to $10 suggested donation per training, but it’s completely optional,” Stutzman said. “If people don’t have the funds, or for whatever reason, aren’t able to donate, that’s perfectly fine. You know, you can still come and train here.”

The club holds open gyms on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5-6:30 p.m. and holds classes on Sundays from 12-1 p.m.

If boxing still sounds intimidating, don’t worry, those who come to the open gyms do not need to box a live opponent if they so choose.

“Sparring is certainly not required, and only a small handful of us actually do spar,” said Stutzman. “For the most part, we’re just in here hitting pads, listening to music, and having fun.”