About us
Our Team
James Vanglath
Head coach
I have been practicing martial arts since the age of 9. My father signed me up to Shotokan Karate and I competed until the age of 18.
After 10 years of traditional martial arts, I decided to explore full contact striking sports and took Muay thai and kickboxing. At the same time, I had a huge curiosity for grappling.
And so, my mixed martial arts journey began. The transition from karate was very difficult as I was always taught to hold back and after my first MMA fight (which I lost) I realized that I was a strong kicker but my hands lacked competence and so did my head movement.
I started training in boxing with Nazar Torosian who was representing Ring83 at the time and completely fell in love with it. I began to study the art of boxing and was very inspired by Manny Pacquiao, Roy Jones jr, Floyd Mayweather, Roberto Duran and Vasily Lomachenko.
My coaching journey began at the age of 23 and I haven't stopped eversince. To this day, I continue to practice kickboxing, brazilian jiu jitsu, wrestling, etc. But my biggest interest leans more towards boxing and I believe it is the case because it is the discipline where I struggled the most.
Since childhood, I always performed above the average level in every sport that I played (basketball, soccer, track to name a few) and have noticed that playing and practicing other sports benefited my combat skills and even though I haven't competed in boxing besides participating in a few exhibition matches, my network and acknowledgement came from mostly boxing trainers and practitioners.
I am happy to teach and pass on the knowledge and understanding of the "sweet science" to the next generation and seeing children pick it up so fast and loving it is beyond any reward or fight victory. My goal is to not only build great fighters and athletes, but also future teachers. Everytime I give a private or group class, I am not only giving boxing knowledge, but a chunk of my life philosophy.
I don't expect all my students to choose it as a career but I sure do hope that it helps them win in life outside of the ring.
Martial arts experience: 25 years
Karate 10 years
Kickboxing/muay thai 15 years
Boxing 11 years