Two Kings: Boots and Bam ‘virtually’ turn dreams into reality for teens at Philly Boys & Girls Club

Pound-for-pound superstars, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez provided almost 100 youngsters aged 12-18 at Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club – a club that Ennis used to attend himself as a teenager – with an afternoon they’ll never forget, ahead of their respective World Title defences at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia this weekend.

The ‘Two Kings’ conducted an inspirational Q+A session alongside Matchroom’s Head of Community Development, Alex Le Guével, sharing valuable guidance and words of inspiration to the group – before handing out and signing bespoke Boots and Bam t-shirts courtesy of our partners at Everlast.

The fighters then became the first to compete in the Matchroom Virtual Reality Arena, with our friends at Golden Gloves VR overseeing the action – in addition to donating a Meta Quest 3S to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.

Speaking to the group, Bam Rodriguez was quick to praise the impact of his brother, illustrating the importance of role models for the next generation to follow.

“What inspired me to be a boxer was my brother, Joshua Franco. He went to the gym for about two weeks, just training – then I tagged along and ever since then I stuck with this. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today – so I give a lot of props to my brother,” said Bam.

Elaborating on the traits required to maintain the phenomenally high levels he’s able to achieve in the ring, Bam singled out discipline as the most important characteristic he possesses.

“Well for me, it’s just a lot of discipline. You can work hard, you can do what you want, but if you’re not disciplined then it’s not going to work out. I think a huge part of success is discipline. If you have discipline then you can take it anywhere and it spurs you on.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia (BGCP) have been serving the Philadelphia community for over 135 years, working to empower young people and create opportunities for success. The Germantown, Wissahickon and Nicetown units are three of the original clubs that were part of the founding of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The organisation operates in neighbourhoods with limited resources, providing safe and nurturing environments where kids and teens can learn, grow, and develop essential life skills. With a focus on character development, BGCP helps its members build self-esteem, resilience and leadership abilities, addressing the educational and social challenges that many youth in the city face.

BGCP’s programmes span a wide range of focus areas, including education, health and wellness, sports and arts. Educational initiatives are a priority, with dedicated efforts to improve literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills among members. In many locations, BGCP also provides mentorship, homework assistance and college or career guidance, helping youth prepare for a successful future. For families in economically challenged neighbourhoods, the clubs are a crucial resource, offering support that children might not otherwise have access to in their communities.

Health and wellness are also key areas of focus at BGCP. By providing sports, fitness programmes and nutrition education, the clubs encourage kids and teens to lead healthy, active lives. Sports activities, especially boxing, are a part of the physical development programmes in several clubs. These activities promote teamwork, discipline and personal achievement, while also providing a safe and structured environment for physical exercise.

The impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia is seen in the lives of thousands of young people who have gone on to achieve their dreams and give back to their communities. Through partnerships with local businesses, schools and other organisations, BGCP continues to expand its reach and resources, creating brighter futures for Philadelphia’s youth. Their work has made them a pillar of support and opportunity, changing lives and building a stronger community across the city.

When asked about any words of advice he’d give to a youngster looking to achieve their potential, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis zoned in on the concept of focus and how important it is to apply yourself to be the best that you can be.

“For real for real, just keep going, you’ve got to keep going and stay locked in,” said Boots.

“Them early mornings, if you’ve got to go to practice, go to practice. Be the first one in the gym and the last one out – and stay locked in.”

Boots was also keen to talk about the sense of pride he felt in revisiting his former Boys & Girls Club to inspire the group, illustrating the vital role that his community has played in his own journey to the top.

“Reconnecting with my community means everything to me. Growing up in Philly shaped who I am – and I want the youth here to see that if I can make it, they can too,” stated Ennis.

“I hope my journey shows them that with hard work and heart, they can reach their dreams, no matter where they start.”

Shakir Johnson, Executive Vice President of Programs, Athletics and Teen Advancement at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, was full of praise for both fighters, noting the impact that their visit had on his young members.

“It was an honor to have Jesse and Jaron join our youth and staff at the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia. Having professional boxers share their stories, answer questions, take photos and sign autographs created a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our young people. Both boxers were down-to-earth, personable and appeared to feel completely at home here, making the day unforgettable,” beamed Johnson.

“For Jaron, being not only from Philadelphia, but from the same neighbourhood as the Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club, where we hosted him, gave the youth a sense of hope – that they, too, could achieve their dreams, whatever they may be. Hearing Jaron say he walked the same streets, attended the same Boys & Girls Club and followed his passion was incredibly inspiring,” he continued.

“I hope that both boxers saw the impact they made on our youth and felt motivated to do even more for young people. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces is one of the biggest reasons I do what I do. To top off the visit, some of the youth and their families were able to watch the fight live – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many. This weekend was truly special for all of us at the Boys & Girls Club. I have the utmost respect for both Jesse and Jaron.”

Boots and Bam headline a stacked night of action in Philadelphia, with former World champion Raymond ‘Savage’ Ford returning to action up at Super-Featherweight, when he takes on Orlando Gonzalez. Light-Heavyweight talent Khalil ‘Big Steppa’ Coe takes on Manuel Gallegos, Ernesto ‘Tito’ Mercado makes his Matchroom debut against Jesus Saracho over ten rounds at Super-Lightweight and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams returns to the ring over eight rounds at 160lbs against Gian Garrido.

Boots Promotions duo, Dennis Thompson and Ismail Muhammad, return to the ring – and there’s a debut on the card for the hotly-touted Zaquin Moses, the cousin of pound-for-pound superstar Shakur Stevenson, stepping through the ropes for the first time over four rounds at Super-Featherweight.