LITTLE CHUTE, Wis. — A free amateur boxing gym in the Fox Valley is off to a good start, earning titles and more, thanks to Nick Maher. He started Chuter’s Youth Amateur Boxing less than two years ago.
“The number one thing you need to be here is an athlete. Before I can make you a boxer, you need to be in boxing shape. Being in shape and being in boxing shape are two different things,” said Maher. “There’s no cost here. I’m not going to charge you any money, but you’re going to spend three nights a week, minimum, here. Two hours a night and you’re going to work.”
The former Golden Gloves boxer said he wants to give any kid a chance.
“I would say the average is about six months. I can get a kid from not knowing anything to sparring and competing and winning within six months,” said Maher.
Maher funds the gym, equipment and travel expenses with proceeds from his day job as a mechanic.
“My accountant just told me, about $64,000 is what I spend on the gym and I tell you what, it’s the best $64,000 I spend a year,” said Maher.
About two and a half years ago, he opened Chuter’s Tire & Service in Little Chute. When he bought the business, the lot held a building that Maher thought would work for boxing.
“A lot of people looked at me like I was crazy. And maybe it was boxing that taught me, if you got a dream, chase it,” said Maher.“A lot of people looked at me like I was crazy. And maybe it was boxing that taught me, if you got a dream, chase it,” said Maher.
He also credits his business partner as well as tremendous community and volunteer support to help make the dream come true.
“It was like God opened one door after the other. I never had to knock. It wasn’t like I was pounding on the door to get in. Everybody just let me in,” said Maher.
He said the Little Chute community has embraced his business and gym. Unbeknownst to Maher when he purchased the lot was the fact that his location was on a bus line. Many of his boxers wouldn’t otherwise have reliable transportation to get to practice.
“These kids will get off the bus at 4:15 and when they’re done with practice, they hang out and by 8 the bus is up there and they hop on the bus and they’re back in Menasha,” explained Maher.
Maher seems to possess boundless energy, and he hasn’t plugged in his shop’s “Open” sign for over a year.
“We’re really busy,” said Maher.
Things have gone well in the ring for him as well.
“We had 14 state champions this year, which is just astronomical. We won the team state title,” said Maher.
Chuter’s also won a regional championship, plus two individual national titles.
Amanda Dahlheimer and her son Calon were with him from the beginning. She said she appreciates what Maher brings to the community.
“He’s with the kids five nights a week plus traveling to shows a lot of the weekends. He really loves it. You can tell. He gives so much to the kids,” said Dahlheimer.
She got involved as well, first to help train her son, but she’s now a credentialed coach and official. Dahlheimer said she’s seen big improvements in her son and other the boxers.
“He’s really become much much more confident lately. Making lots of friends here. It’s a big family,” said Dahlheimer.
Maher said all kids, from a shy 4.0 student to a kid with a rough home life, benefit from his free gym.
“You see them come out of their shell. They become this beast version of themselves. These timid kids that might be shy, all the sudden are shaking hands with a good grip to it,” said Maher. “You’re seeing these little kids become more courageous, and all of a sudden when they get out of the car, their head is not down, their head is up. All of a sudden, they’re looking people in the eye when they talk. All of a sudden they got something to say.”
Maher is a mechanic, trainer, and, if nothing else, a walking quote machine.
“Whenever I meet a 16-year-old kid and he comes to the gym, I ask him if he’s got a girlfriend. I say, ‘Well you just give it six months, boxing will get you one of those,’” said Maher.
He also has girl boxers in the program who train alongside the boys. There are at least 70 kids in the gym and it is growing fast.
“My biggest fear is someday having to look at a kid that comes through my door excited and tell them I don’t have room for them,” said Maher.
He’s already looking for a new home. In the spring and summer, he can utilize his shop’s parking lot for extra space to train. When the weather turns cold again, he’ll have to limit the number inside the building.
“I just want to help more kids,” said Maher.
If someone does have a bigger space for Maher, he’s pretty easy to find — likely in his shop or in his gym, helping the local community thrive.
