In boxing, the corner is where a fighter finds the courage, strength, and strategy to answer the bell for the next round.
At Warrior's Corner, we provide that same service, delivered through the empowering sport of boxing.
The community, confidence, and strength provided by our program can be applied to all challenges in life, well beyond the ring.
our story
Fight Back. Move Forward.
The idea for Warrior's Corner originated with Michael Kappaz, a Washington D.C. native and champion boxer at Notre Dame. Michael fought while also preparing for military service with Notre Dame’s Navy ROTC unit. His participation in Notre Dame's "Bengal Bouts" Tournament, a boxing event that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for global humanitarian causes, demonstrated the power of boxing in building communities and how that quality could be expanded to provide a greater social impact.
After graduating and embarking on a career as a Navy Submarine Officer, Michael's connection with boxing deepened. Onboard the submarine, he introduced boxing as a form of physical and mental respite for his fellow sailors. These sessions, held in an improvised setup with a heavy bag, highlighted the potential of boxing as a tool for mental health and community support.
Returning to D.C., Michael's experiences with veterans and active-duty members reinforced the need for a unique initiative – one that addressed the physical, mental, and communal needs of struggling and service disabled veterans. This realization led to the inception of Warrior's Corner in 2023 as a multifaceted mission to support veterans through boxing.
The essence of Warrior's Corner lies in its holistic approach. It's a place where the discipline of boxing serves as a cornerstone for building strength, resilience, and camaraderie among veterans. It’s a community that recognizes the challenges faced by those who have served and offers a supportive environment for them to thrive.
Today, Warrior's Corner is not just a concept but a community where veterans find more than just boxing training – they discover a network of support, understanding, and empowerment. Each punch thrown and every glove laced up symbolizes Warrior's Corner's commitment to nurturing the physical and emotional well-being of veterans. It's a place where the values learned in service and the discipline of boxing intersect, creating a powerful force for positive change in the lives of veterans.
