On the second floor of 9 Main Street, above the Asbury Park Public Works offices, the rhythmic sound of gloves snapping against punching pads fills the air. In one corner, a police officer demonstrates proper footwork. In another, a group of kids laugh as they perfect their jabs. The atmosphere is equal parts intensity and encouragement. This is the heartbeat of Asbury Park.
The Police Athletic League (PAL) Boxing Program is a growing initiative that’s not only teaching young people how to box but also how to believe in themselves.
Launched in 2023, the program has quickly become a meaningful hub for the city’s youth. Its mission goes beyond athletics. It aims to build bridges between law enforcement and the community, develop confidence and discipline and offer a safe, structured environment where kids can thrive. The program is led by Captain Lorenzo Pettway and a combination of Asbury Park Police Officers and retired Military officers blend physical rigor with mentorship, teamwork, and mutual respect.
Chris Hill is the CEO of National PAL. Throughout his career, Hill has built partnerships with various agencies. Hill is a lifelong advocate for youth
empowerment. Hill has developed programs like the Youth Leadership Council, which helps young people engage in community service and leadership development. Under his leadership, both the Monmouth Ocean PAL and DMV PAL were launched, serving thousands of youths across multiple states.
PAL’s boxing program is thoughtfully divided into three age-based classes, ensuring that participants receive the right level of instruction and guidance:
There's the group from 8-11 years old. Young participants are introduced to the fundamentals of boxing in a way that emphasizes fun, coordination, and sportsmanship. Those from 12-16 work on refining skills, building endurance, and cultivating personal confidence.
Those 17 and older are pushed physically and mentally, encouraging leadership, accountability, and preparation for more competitive goals.
Classes are held Monday through Friday. For some, this gym is their first exposure to organized sports. For others, it’s a daily refuge, a place where they feel supported, and safe. Boxing is a vehicle for empowerment. Boxing teaches discipline, perseverance, focus, and respect. Skills that translate far beyond the ring.
Through the program’s structure, young people learn to set goals, show up consistently, and respect authority figures who care about their growth. Instructors emphasize not only technique but also life skills, punctuality, teamwork, emotional control, and resilience.
One of the core philosophies of the PAL Boxing Program is that self-defense is only the beginning. For many participants, the real transformation happens internally. They begin to carry themselves differently standing taller, speaking with more confidence, and viewing challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.
The presence of law enforcement officers in a mentorship role also plays a crucial part. It humanizes relationships between youth and police, breaking down barriers and building trust in ways that standard programs often can’t. Over time, officers become more than authority figures. They become coaches and role models.
The success of PAL’s boxing initiative is due not only to its structure but also to the people who believe in its mission. Among them is Debra Esola, a local fitness trainer and the owner of Esola Fitness in Asbury Park. A fixture in the city’s wellness community, Esola brings her expertise, energy, and deep commitment to the program.
Esola has built a reputation for thoughtful coaching. Her path to fitness wasn’t linear. Later in life, she took up boxing, trained locally in Monmouth County, and became certified as a personal trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist. Esola has said working with PAL in Asbury over the last few years has been among the most rewarding of her efforts. At the April 2024 ribbon-cutting, she remarked on the growth she’s witnessed. “Kids build so much more confidence, become healthier both mentally and physically and develop their boxing skills."
Esola embodies a message of showing up for your community. Her decision to give her time speaks volumes about the spirit that drives PAL forward. While PAL’s boxing program is still relatively young, its impact is already being felt across Asbury Park. Families see positive changes in their children, improved behavior at home, better focus in school, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The program also represents a shift in how community engagement looks. Instead of lectures or one-time events, PAL offers consistent, hands-on mentorship through something young people genuinely enjoy. That consistency builds relationships that last.
As the PAL Boxing Program continues to grow, its leaders are looking for ways to expand its reach whether through more classes, additional community partnerships, or public events that showcase participants’ skills. The vision is to create a sustainable model that not only trains future athletes but cultivates future leaders.
For more information on the program or how to donate please contact and mention this article.
pal@asburyparkpolice.org
At the April 2024 ribbon-cutting, Debra Esola remarked on the growth she’s witnessed. "Kids build so much more confidence, become healthier both mentally and physically and develop their boxing skills." That's due to the Police Athletic League (PAL) Boxing Program.