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Culler aims to teach the art of boxing to Nevada youth
Former amateur boxer and Nevada native Rick Culler wants to pass on his boxing knowledge to the next generation of Nevada and Fort Scott youth.
Culler, owner and operator of Ground Up Boxing Gym in Fort Scott, Kan., is currently planning to open a boxing gym at the vacant Jefferson Elementary School in Nevada. Culler said he is currently in the process of renovating the old Jefferson school.
"The most important thing for me right now is to give back to the kids," said Culler, who was 48-5 during his amateur boxing career. "I want to be able to give them something positive to work toward, and give kids another avenue to expend their energy. I just enjoy teaching kids the art of boxing."
Culler said his gym promotes interactive fitness, while also teaching the art of self-defense through various boxing techniques.
"My first priority is to teach the fundamentals like proper placement of hands, proper footwork, and how to defend against punches," Culler said, adding that his company is classified as a 501 (C3) non-profit. "At the gym we look to instill discipline, respect, self-esteem and confidence through participation in classes with a team-like structure."
Culler, who has also competed in Mixed Martial Arts, holds six Golden Gloves and two Silver Gloves titles.
Former Nevada City Manager Wayne Neal played an important role in Culler's introduction into boxing in the mid '90s.
"The Nevada Boxing Club was nothing special to most, but to me it was a sanctuary," Culler said, adding that he grew up impoverished and the gym kept him off the streets and out of trouble. "I could go there after school. I knew I would not get hurt or picked on and I would learn how to fight. It was a great place for me to be. I was always one of the first ones through the doors."
Neal, who passed away in 1999, wielded the greatest influence on Nevada's boxing scene.
"I know that my old coach Wayne is smiling down on me and my achievements," Culler said. "I believe that every win my fighters achieve is a win for him and all of my other coaches. In the end, I would never have known the sport of boxing without Wayne Neal. He was the one who gave me an opportunity to do something and a way to give back to my community. "
Through the years Culler has trained with many well-known individuals in the boxing world, including boxing legend Roberto Duran in Panama City.
"I have been trained by some of the best trainers in the sport ---- like Roberto Duran, Freddie Roach, John Bray, Jerry Rosenburg, Patrick Outlaw, Wayne Neal, and Justin Fortune," Culler said. "I've take everything that I was taught by those coaches and instill it into the kids that I train."
Culler's boxing career was essentially cut short after suffering a serious back injury while serving in the military.
"I still continued to fight in some events but never could compete again at the top level," Culler said.
Culler's travels have taken him to Mexico, where he trained many fighters while earning the nickname "Magic Man." Culler said the nickname was bestowed upon him due to familiarity with many different boxing styles and techniques.
"They were amazed by the different training styles I taught," he said.
Culler said one of his Fort Scott pupils, Korbyn Reyes, won the 16-and-under Silver Gloves regional championship belt at 135 pounds. Reyes' grand moment came via a three-round decision earlier this year in Lawrence, Kan.
Culler said he wants to impart his boxing wisdom upon anybody who has a passion for the sport, as he trains boxers ranging from 7 to 55 years of age.
"I'm happy with my fighters and their current achievements," he said.
Culler said he makes sure his fighters are 100 percent prepared before stepping into the ring for the first time.
"I teach my students everything in the first few months," Culler said. "That way they're not surprised by anything when they get in the ring. They know how to block, parry, slip, weave and counter. And I always have them sparring before they compete."
According to Culler, boxing is one of the safest sports, at least at the amateur level.
"Before and after you step into the ring you have a doctor who looks over you," he said. "And you have protective headgear and padded gloves. Even riding a bicycle is considered more dangerous than boxing. There isn't really a lot of injuries in amateur boxing. The fights are only three rounds, and usually only last one or two minutes."
Culler said since the grand-opening of his Fort Scott gym in 2012, he has had 63 students enter the ring, and only four have lost.
Despite having previously competed in Mixed Martial Arts, Culler holds the sport of boxing in much higher regard.
"Boxing is not like MMA," he said, "you can't give up, you can't quit, you can't tap-out. If you don't fight for your dreams, you're never going to make it. And so boxing has given me the confidence to fight for anything,"