Your Friendly Neighborhood Boxing Gym
Show up, learn something, leave sweaty. That's it. BoxSmith is a small gym in West Roxbury where classes cap at 11, your coach knows your name, and nobody cares that it's your first day. Come punch out the stress of the week without ever taking a punch of your own!
What Makes This Place Different
All Levels
Total beginners train right alongside folks prepping for amateur fights. Everyone's working on their own goals. Nobody's watching you (except your coach).
Woman-Owned, 10+ Years Strong
Jess opened BoxSmith over ten years ago and still teaches most of the classes herself. This is her gym, not a franchise.
Actual Technique
Plenty of gyms will make you sweat. We'll also make you BETTER. You'll leave every class knowing something you didn't know before.
Small Classes, Capped at 11
Small on purpose! You'll get real coaching and real corrections, and your coach will know your name by the end of the hour.
BOXING (bäksiNG):
The sport or practice of fighting with the fists, especially with padded gloves according to prescribed rules.
synonyms: pugilism, the sweet science, sparring, fisticuffs
Meet Jess
Owner, head coach, boxing fanatic
Jessica Smith is the owner and chief instructor here, USA Boxing and CPR certified, a longtime martial artist and hardcore convert to traditional American boxing. She's spent ten years building BoxSmith into a small but fierce gym in West Roxbury with a presence in the community through gym service initiatives and social events.
She teaches most of the small-group classes and runs the sparring program. Safety is ALWAYS her number one priority, and she'll happily work around injuries and physical limitations.
She'll push you harder than you'd push yourself, and she'll have you laughing while she does it. If you've spent years at other gyms without getting any better, come see what actual coaching feels like.
Specialties
Technique Specialist
Jess loves teaching the minutia of technique and is true form mechanic whether it's your very first punch or you're trying to get more out of your boxing.
Boxing Enthusiast
Book with Jess if you're interested in learning the rules and regulations of the sport or want to geek out over an upcoming fight.
Nutrition Partner
Though not a nutritionist, Jess has guided countless boxers through cutting and gaining weight and can help you tinker with your eating habits to support your training. She believes in a balanced, realistic approach.
Progessive Planner
Jess loves getting boxers ring-ready and everyone life-ready, and can help you train a progressive training schedule to accomplish your goals.
Inside the Gym
Coaches
Jess is joined by a small crew of coaches, including Amy Pole, an amateur boxer and Doctor of Occupational Therapy who also coaches high school track.
Lead Coach
Amy Pole
Teaches Tuesday and Thursday morning bag and conditioning classes. An amateur boxer with tournament titles including 2023 New England Golden Gloves and 2024 King of the Ring. Outside the gym she's a mom, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and a high school track coach.
Running Enthusiast — Can design a running program, take you out for a run, or get you ready for a race.
Early Riser — Offers early morning training before you head off to work.
Coach
Matteo Joyce
Fell in love with boxing after starting his fitness journey in lifting. He blends barbells and kettlebells into some of his classes. He is currently training for an amateur fight.
Lifting Enthusiast — Specializes in proper form, with weights and with bodyweight movement.
Big Kid at Heart — Loves training all ages, but especially youth and teens.