Coaching Profiles

John Mulvenna
John Mulvenna was one of the top amateur boxers in Philadelphia in the late 1960's. Drafted into the Army, he served in Vietnam, was wounded in action and sent home to recover. With his boxing career over, Mulvenna turned to training fighters. It did not take long to establish himself as one of the best trainers in Philly. Mulvenna started training fighters at Hennelley's gym in Philadelphia. When his stable of boxers grew too large for Hennelley's, he started his own gym. That was the beginning of the famous Front Street Gym of Philadelphia. Some of Mulvenna's awards include 1987 Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year and 1988 Man of the Year in Fishtown ( the Philly neighborhood of his youth). In 1987, His team won the Team Championship in Philadelphia. His years of getting kids off the streets and into the boxing gym were recognized when, in 1988, Mulvenna was asked to coach full time at the Olympic Training Center in Michigan. Due to his family and the fighters in his own gym, John declined. Mulvenna has not only trained many amateur and professional boxers, he has also trained some of the top coaches in the Mid-Atlantic region. With that kind of experience. we are sure you will be hearing a lot about the Phoenixville Area Boxing Team in the future.

Jim Deoria, Sr.
Jim Deoria, Sr. has been training amateur and professional boxers for over 20 years. He started his coaching career as an assistant to John Mulvenna at the famous Front Street Gym in Philadelphia. Through the years, Deoria has taken fighters all over the world to fight. The knowledge and experience gained in working alongside Mulvenna paid off. In 1988, the two formed a partnership of training and managing prize fighters. In 1999, Deoria and Mulvenna teamed up with former Lightweight boxer Jim Deoria, Jr. to start the Phoenixville Area PAL Boxing program. With the success of the PAL program and the recognition of his years as a coach, Deoria has been selected to represent the Mid-Atlantic region Amateur Boxing Association at the 2001 National Elite Coaches Clinic, held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The experience, hard work and enthusiasm that Deoria brings to the boys at the gym every night will bring continued success to the Phoenixville PAL Boxing program.

Willis "Skeebe" Foreman
Willis "Skeebe" Foreman is a lifelong resident of Phoenixville. He is retired from Phoenix Steel. Skeebe has been involved in the sport of boxing, on and off, for the past 15 years. In 1987. Skeebe volunteered his time to help Jim Deoria, Sr., with his boxing gym for kids, located on Bridge St. in Phoenixville. In early 1999, Jim Deoria, Jr. formed the Phoenixville Area Police Athletic League. Jim contacted Skeebe and
asked him if he'd be interested in coaching kids in the new boxing program. Skeebe graciously agreed to help out. He unselfishly donates his time, Monday through Thursday, year-round, between     5pm and 7:30 pm. Skeebe not only coaches but he also serves as board member for PAL. Skeebe has an incredibly positive on the kids who participate in the PAL program. He has a unique way of relating to each kids needs. weather it is helping a child with mental focus or teaching a youngster how to properly wrap his or her hands. There should be more people like Skeebe in the world we live in today. His help and input with the Phoenixville PAL is priceless. Without the help and dedication of his services, the PAL Boxing program would not be here today.