St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office PAL Boxing Club set to debut

DULUTH, Minn. — A new boxing club will soon be entering the ring in the Twin Ports, as the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office PAL Boxing Club is preparing to open its new space in the former First Presbyterian Church on the corner of 2nd St. and N 3rd Ave. in Duluth.

The new club’s founder, a former pro boxer and current deputy in St. Louis County, says it will give kids between the ages of 8 and 21 a space to learn about the sport of boxing with new and safe equipment.

The equipment comes partially due to a couple of large donations, which will help give the kids the best experience possible.

“I try to try not to get emotional about it, but it’s just, it’s awesome, right?” Said Joe Lorenzi, the club’s founder and a deputy with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. “that’s going to help us get the ring and get pretty much all, brand new equipment, so when these kids walk in here, I want them to be blown away.”

“I want them to see how new, and shiny, and safe everything is (and how it’s) just ready to go,” said Lorenzi.

Lorenzi also says the club will become a place of mentorship for local kids and will foster positive interactions with local law enforcement, who will be volunteering their time at the boxing ring. There will also be current and former boxers there to train the kids in the sport.

The new club is set to open its doors in early 2026 and have said that they will never turn away a child looking to pick up the gloves.