WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION From Chino’s Boxing Ring to Community Role Model By Daniel Koster E veryone deserves a fair chance at success. In Chino, California, young athletes are finding those opportunities through a pow-erful partnership between City of Chino and the Chino Youth Boxing Foundation. The success of the collaboration can be seen through Daniel Cruz, a 26-year-old undefeated profession-al boxer who also works for City of Chino’s Community Services, Parks and Recreation Department as a boxing trainer for the Chino Boxing Club. Cruz’s boxing journey began when he was eight years old. He signed up for the Chino Boxing Club, located at the Neighborhood Activity Cen-ter in the heart of downtown. Here he found success as a young athlete and learned crucial skills that he uses both in and out of the ring. Today, he gives back by coaching the same youth who now walk a simi-lar path — one paved with hard work, community support and resilience. Boxing for All Cruz believes the financial support of the Chino Boxing Club made his journey possible. Local gyms start at more than $160 a month for boxing classes, which was out of reach for Cruz’s parents. At the Chino Boxing Club, he could get in the ring for only $5 a month. “The Chino Youth Boxing Foun-dation Board took care of all of my tournament fees and every-thing,” adds Cruz. “Without them, I would not be where I am today.” Cruz is proud of his background. His parents came to the United States from Oaxaca, Mexico, in search of a better life. They worked tirelessly to provide for Cruz, and he credits them as his biggest inspiration. He grew up speaking both Span-ish and English, which he uses to connect with youth at the gym. “We have kids from elementary to high school that come in and don’t speak English,” he says. “I’ll speak Spanish to them, and boom , they feel more comfortable. The whole energy changes.” Cruz even takes the time to teach English to athletes who are eager to learn. “I had this one boxer who start-ed in eighth grade and didn’t speak any English,” he says. “He’s about to graduate, and now he’s com-pletely fluent.” Cruz knows how hard it is to overcome obstacles, and these ex-periences have driven him to create a welcoming environment for all young athletes. And in a sport dominated by men, that sense of belonging has made all the difference. “We are proud to have expanded our boxing programming to girls,” says Chino Youth Boxing Founda-tion Board President Mike Garcia. Throughout the years, the club has seen many girls go through their program, emphasizing the Chino Boxing Club’s commitment to sup-porting the growth of anyone who wants to be part of the program. Lessons Beyond the Ring The Chino Boxing Club began in the 1960s as a gang diversion program that gave local youth an opportunity to build self-esteem, character and a sense of pride. In 1980, it became a nonprofit, part-nering closely with City of Chino’s Community Services, Parks and Recreation Department. Cruz takes these values to heart. “You need to be strong to be a box-er,” he says. He emphasizes that boxing is more than just a game, and athletes need to know what they are signing up for. Boxing re-quires discipline — athletes fight in rounds of three, and if a boxer is already tired in the first round, it’s a sign they must work harder. As his career continues to grow, Cruz’s mission is simple: to inspire future generations of Chino boxers to strive for success. Daniel Koster is Management Aide for Chino (California) Community Services, Parks and Recreation Department. Daniel Cruz seeks to inspire youth in Chino, California, to build confidence through boxing. 10 Parks & Recreation | APRIL 2026 | PARKSANDRECREATION.ORG PHOTO BY KEVIN CARLSON, CITY OF CHINO, CALIFORNIA
Parks Recreation Magazine April 2026: Page 10
