Tucked away at 3567 Meeting Street Road, Suite 400, is Charleston’s newest boxing club, Art of Boxing USA (AOB). Founded by head coach Othell Brown, the mission of AOB is to create a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds and skill levels.
Art of Boxing is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Brown, a longtime Charleston resident and former Johns Island firefighter. As a former competitive amateur world kickboxing champion, the most influential years of his training were led by Coach Richard Chen, a coach and mentor. Chen was well-known in the Charleston community and across both coasts, coaching many athletes over the years.
The lineage of Art of Boxing extends to Master Ip Man, who taught Bruce Lee, who taught Master Dan Inosanto, who then taught Chen — ultimately passing it down to Brown. He believes the true art is to go beyond the sport by incorporating different influences. For AOB, this includes elements of Eastern martial arts.
“When our students are trained continuously and with a clear method, they are then able to enter a flow state that allows them to fluidly switch between combinations without a thought," Brown said. "The essence of this ideology is to create a flow, and then, without warning, have the ability to break the loop with an unexpected strike."
Brown said a key focus of Art of Boxing is ensuring the journey feels personal and achievable for all students. The goal is not only to build strength, but also character. He believes the sport can have a profound impact on students, their families and their growth, serving as a form of physical, mental and community wellness.
“Structured physical activity and sport are proven to have a significant impact on youth, improving anxiety and depression and contributing to academic achievement," Brown said. "I have felt this firsthand, and we hope to be that source for our students."
Art of Boxing offers a variety of classes for all skill levels for both adults and youth, including advanced and competitive boxing. Most recently, one of AOB’s top fighters, Ray Middleton, won the South Carolina Golden Gloves title in his weight division. AOB has a number of upcoming fights lined up and also offers university and corporate employee partnership programs.
Learn more at artofboxingusa.com.