Revere Boxing gives Revere teen a sense of healing, focus and purpose

By Melissa Moore-Randall

If you walk into the Revere Boxing Youth Outreach Center any afternoon, you will find 14-year-old Izaiah Rosa, known as “Bottles” in the ring, enjoying what he loves best.

Rosa’s journey into the boxing ring started a year ago. “I kept telling my mom that I wanted to try boxing. At first, she was nervous about the idea, but she still supported me. One day, at a school fair, she met a Chelsea police officer who mentioned the Revere Boxing Program. That connection opened the door for me to walk into the gym for the very first time and that’s how my journey with boxing officially began.”

Rosa said joining boxing has been the best decision he ever made, providing him with discipline, focus and something positive that he can dedicate himself to. Boxing has taught him the true meaning of commitment, and for the first time, he felt proud to be part of a sport that pushes him, motivates him and makes him believe in his own future.

Raised in a single-mom household without a father figure, boxing has become a source of healing, focus and purpose. “My mom has always been the strongest influence in my life. Unfortunately, my dad struggles with alcoholism, and because of that, I do not have a relationship with him. That absence has affected me in many ways, but it has also pushed me to find my own outlet. For me, that outlet has been boxing. Stepping into the ring has given me a way to release the frustration I’ve carried and turn it into something positive. Even without my father’s support, my mom has shown me what true strength looks like. She has sacrificed so much and worked tirelessly to raise me on her own. Through her example, I’ve learned resilience, independence, and the importance of family. Every time I train, I carry her lessons with me, and I fight not just for myself, but for the future she has worked so hard to give me.”

When asked what his biggest accomplishment has been, he said it has yet to be met. “Winning my first official boxing fight was a dream come true. I had imagined that moment countless times, but the reality was even better than I could have ever pictured.”

Rosa credits his trainer, Brad Ouellette, for his success. “I am beyond thankful for him, and words can’t fully describe the amount of gratitude I feel. He has been like a father, like a brother, and truly the greatest mentor. From day one in the program, we connected, and ever since we’ve worked day in and day out. Brad has played a huge role in shaping the man I’m becoming. Having a positive role model who genuinely cares about me has meant the world, especially coming from a boy who never really had a strong male role model in his life. I couldn’t have gone through this process without him. Everyone at Revere Boxing has been amazing, from Joe Singer to all the coaches but the bond I’ve built with Brad will last a lifetime. He came into my life at a time when things were sensitive and delicate, and his guidance, support, and belief in me have made all the difference.”

Rosa heads straight to the gym every day after school. One day he hopes he can be recognized as a great boxer. “My goal is to leave behind a legacy — a story that will be written in the history books for future generations to read about.”

He hopes his story inspires others. “As young adults, it’s easy to be tempted by the streets or pulled in the wrong direction, but I’ve learned that when you find something you truly love whether it’s a sport, a hobby, or anything that brings you joy you’ll give it your all and chase that dream. It doesn’t matter if you come from a broken home or not. A lot of people say negative things about kids raised by single moms, but I want to be living proof that a single mom can raise a young man who chooses the right path and does good in life.”