For most of his life, boxing rings have been John Determan's place. Boxing is in his soul. He won his first district golden gloves in 1980. He won again in 1981, 1983, and 1985. He went on then two twelve professional bouts. In 1996, he opened a boxing gym out of his garage in Glenwood, Iowa.
"Boxing is one of those sports where you get out of it what you put into it," he said.
For the past 22 years, he's been head coach at Victory Boxing of 30th and R in Omaha. Victory, another gym for kids, also started out of a garage and has grown immensely. At Victory, teens and preteens, mostly young boys and girls from the predominantly latino neighborhoods nearby come to practice. It keeps them off the streets and out of trouble
This week, though, has been bittersweet for John. It's his last. It's time to hang up his gloves. After more than two decades, hundreds of kids, thousands of matches he's retiring as head coach.
"It's my last day, I won't be there for you anymore," he says to a young boxer, as he fist bumps him.
A lot has changed over the years, he says, kids' work ethic has changed, "maybe because of video games."
One thing that won't change no matter when the next time he walks into to ring.
"I'll be around, I'll still see you," he says to another boxer.
