Blog

Jul 05, 2023

Hill Street Boxing studio to open in Riverhead

The gloves, mouthpiece and headgear are on as a boxing studio prepares to open in Riverhead. The Southampton-based Hill Street Boxing, will soon open its second location at 1074 Pulaski Street in

The gloves, mouthpiece and headgear are on as a boxing studio prepares to open in Riverhead.

The Southampton-based Hill Street Boxing, will soon open its second location at 1074 Pulaski Street in Riverhead, near Stotzky Memorial Park.

Thomas Haynia and Avery Crocker, who previously trained together, founded Hill Street Boxing in 2018 in Southampton. They celebrated five years in May. “It was a perfect time for us to expand out and to do something different,” Crocker said.

Hill Street Boxing is for people of all skill levels, according to management. “We want people to learn the sport of boxing,” Hill Street employee Grant Keelan said. The studio will offer classes for everyone, from boxing fitness classes to its so-called “fight team,” which will train fighters to compete in amateur competitions.

Hill Street has two boxing rings, punching bags and workout equipment. It will offer classes in group, private and semi-private settings. According to their website, they offer classes for all ages.

“We built it for the community, not to turn a profit,” Keelan said. “We built such an amazing community in Southampton that we don’t see why we wouldn’t build another one out here.”

Hill Street wants to work with Riverhead High School students, and hopes to partner with the high school and offer discounts to high school students. Hill Street management spoke in strong terms about the moral conduct of their students. “They have to be good,” Keelan said, “inside and outside the gym.” Crocker said. “With any combat sport, discipline and respect are huge.”

Crocker talked about how excited Hill Street Boxing is to be in Riverhead. “These new faces we’re bringing on are going to be a great addition.”

Haynia, Crocker and Keelan all talked about their big ambitions for the studio. Right now, Hill Street has yet to send an athlete to an amateur competition, but it hopes to train people from its fight team not only to fight in amateur competitions, but also to go pro. Crocker said he expects “more people in here that are looking to compete and actually learn to fight, you know, and actually represent Hill Street in competitions.”

They are hoping to represent fighters as well. “Maybe we could help some of these up-and-coming fighters have their dream,” Haynia said. Keelan said that they are hoping to create a system where people looking to fight professionally could get paid by the studio and not have to work a full-time job.

Crocker said anyone “should feel welcome to come [to the studio], whether they’ve boxed before, never boxed in their life, watched it on TV and been interested in it.”

Hill Street is waiting for some permits to be issued before it open its doors. They said that they would update their Instagram page when they have more information.

“Thank you to the community of Riverhead for welcoming us with open arms,” Keelan said.

Correction: Due to an editing error, this story was originally published under an incorrect byline. It was reported and written by Quint Nigro.

The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today.

Daily Newsletter

Latest