Yecson Preciado was grew up on the tough streets of Guayaquil, Ecuador, one of the most violent cities in the world. He left his home as a child after suffering physical abuse at the hands of his father, and grew up to be a professional boxer.
After retiring, Yecson raised his family in poverty stricken Isla Trinitaria, where he struggled to feed his family by working twelve hour graveyard shifts as a security guard at the local port. Despite his own struggle, he was inspired to give back to the community when local law enforcement mass evicted an entire neighborhood, leaving numerous children homeless.
Yecson opened Trinibox, where he trained at risk children to box, in the hopes that the activity would keep them off the streets and out of trouble. He teaches them from a young age, until they turn 13 and are able to qualify to become nationally sponsored youth athletes. He does not accept payment from his students, and often has to go without food and basic necessities to keep his gym up an running.
“I do this because my students become to be like my sons and daughters. I have a commitment to them, and always, the first thing that has to be the boxing school and my kids,” Yecson said. “I don’t want to see any children go through what I lived, nor watching a kid using drugs, or to be killed a tender age.
He once dreamed of becoming a professional boxer, and after accomplishing that goal, his focus has shifted to the success of his young fighters.
“My goal since I started this was to see a student of mine fighting in Las Vegas, Nevada or at the Olympic Games that is my goal,” he remarked. “I haven’t reached it yet. I am still here at school, moving forward. I will never stop.”
Donate
Yescon does not charge his students for training at Trinibox. He funds the gym by working 12-hour overnight shifts at the dangerous Guayaquil docks six days a week. He has no mode of transportation, and often goes without eating to keep his family fed and underprivileged students boxing.
In a country where those in poverty live on less than $5.50 a day, a small donation to Trinibox can make a life changing difference towards the futures of vulnerable child athletes and the man who has dedicated his life to teaching them.
Please donate to:
- www.trinibox.org/en (English)
