Boxing for a better future - Former troubled teen finds discipline in the ring

The hum of punching bags and the rhythmic shuffle of feet filled Fun Robics Fitness in Greater Portmore, St Catherine, last Friday. Among the watchers was Taneica McLean. Her eyes were fixed on her 16-year-old son, Demarco Smith, as he practised his boxing under the watchful guidance of trainer Jovan Dinnall.

Pride and relief danced across her face with every jab and dodge, while at her side, nine-year-old Joshua Parchment, Smith's younger brother, looked on in awe, absorbing every move.

"My son was what one would describe as a troubled child," she told THE STAR.

"From as early as basic school, he was getting into fights and every day I would have to go to school. He was angry, I guess, and while he never admitted it to me, he expressed to others that his behaviour had to do with his dad not being in his home," McLean shared, reflecting on her son's early years.

Troubled and full of unresolved anger, Smith's behaviour led to his stint at Greater Portmore High School ending prematurely. Counselling sessions came and went, but the spark of transformation only ignited after a pivotal conversation between McLean and Dinnall, a former boxer and soldier. Together, they envisioned a path for Smith to channel his emotions through boxing--and the results have been nothing short of remarkable.

"He started about two years ago at this gym with the same trainer and he has transformed significantly," she said.

The rewards are noticeable.

"My son has now become a role model for others who had similar behavioural problems. His little brother copies everything he does so now he is into boxing as well," McLean said, her voice glowing with pride.

Now a student of Portmore Community College, Smith said he was not enthused about stepping into the boxing ring or gym when his mother introduced the idea, but he decided to honour her wish. But he stated that he has not regretted the decision.

"I came and fell in love with it," he said.

"When I just started, it was very hard and I got a lot of beat up. It is very different from a street fight. People would probably believe that boxing would probably be a trigger to my anger issues, but it actually taught me about discipline and how to understand and control my emotions. It's like medicine," the teenager said.

What started out as a therapy session has grown into what he describes as a lifelong passion, adding that he had even got the opportunity to showcase his talent on international soil.

"I went to Cayman last November to fight and I came out victorious. It was a very good and learning experience. Boxing is something that I would recommend to anyone going through a challenging time as it makes you think more clearly and you are more calmer," he said.

Dinnall said when he met Smith two years ago, he saw a reflection of his younger self.

"When I was a little bit younger than him, my parents had to send me to Jamaica as I was always fighting in school. People will look at him and say he is the problem, but the fact is he just didn't know how to express himself and boxing has become a way for him to understand himself. Anger can destroy you if you don't know how to control it," he said.

Although Dinnall has never competed professionally, he trained with professionals in Orlando, Florida, and, armed with this knowledge, he returned to Jamaica to teach - free of cost - what he had learnt.

For Dinnall, boxing is more than just a sport--it is a powerful tool for self-expression and discipline. He views the challenges young people face not as anger problems, but as opportunities to learn how to manage emotions and communicate effectively.

Recognising that unchecked frustration can manifest physically, he introduced reading and personal development exercises alongside physical training.

"I don't see these kids as having anger issues--we're all human. The real challenge is not knowing how to control emotions or communicate effectively. In Demarco's case, I encouraged him to start reading, because when someone doesn't know how to express themselves, a broken person may only act out physically. Learning to articulate thoughts and feelings is the key to transforming that energy into something positive rather than destructive," the trainer said.