An inner-city boxing club for kids in Reading is taking a direct hit from the city.
Mayor Wally Scott and city council have agreed to take back the field house the club uses in Baer Park, and now the kids must find another place to train.
"Totally shocked... absolutely shocked," said Marshall Kauffman, who supervises the boxers.
Young kids have been throwing punches and training inside the Reading Inner-City Boxing Club for nearly eight years. Kauffman, who took over this past summer, said he was blindsided and was never told the club has to pack up and move out.
"Unprofessional from the mayor's part and unprofessional from the city on how they went about it without contacting us and letting us know what their plans are," Kauffman said.
The mayor and city council agreed to the move on Monday. They want the public to have more access to the building. Officials said with all the boxing equipment inside the field house, it became unavailable for community events.
"With the [Reading] Recreation Commission going in there and working closely with Baseballtown Charities, as well as with the community, I think it's a win-win for everyone," said Councilwoman Donna Reed, whose district includes Baer Park.
Former Mayor Tom McMahon opened the boxing club in 2008. Since then, some of the kids have traveled the country and won awards.
"It's not just boxing, It's the change of life, character, discipline and respect," said Charles Folk, who coaches the kids.
The club may be taking a jab from the city, but officials said they'll keep swinging.
"It's definitely not a knockout that's for sure," Kauffman said. "I will continue to go on and Charles Folk will continue to go on."
Kauffman also owns King's Gym on Elm Street. He said he hopes to move the kids and the club there.
Reading Inner-City Boxing Club has been given 30 days to pack everything up and move out, said officials.
City officials are discussing removing the East End Athletic Club, which operates a kitchen and bar, from the old Mineral Spring Hotel.
The club is the surviving remnant of the historic hotel, and it has been operating in the building since 1928.
The building is owned by the city, and Mayor Scott said he wants the hotel to be used in a way that would help children.
Officials said they discussed using the building as a bike hub.