Red Oak K9 officer opens primo boxing, fitness facility

RED OAK – John Determan, a K9 officer in Red Oak, is taking his past profession as a former amateur boxing champion and professional boxer to the streets where youth and adults can take advantage of his experience.

Working with the Red Oak PD for eight years, a defensive tactics instructor and with the K9 unit since April 2017, Determan’s Blue Line Boxing and Fitness opened its doors earlier this month at 2498 FM 66 in Waxahachie behind the Ugly Heifer, and across FM 66 from Scarborough Fair. 

“We tried to be strategic about where we wanted to open the gym, but there is not much for lease or sale out there,” Determan said. “I did not want a store front – I wanted the old school boxing gym feel with no heat and no air conditioning.”

The gym’s name is fitting too, since the former champion said, “The Blue Line and our mission statement has to do with bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community.”

Blue Line Boxing and Fitness offers adult cardio boxing from 6 to 7 a.m. and 8 to 9 p.m., as well as on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. 

“Right now, these classes are Monday to Friday, but that will change a bit when I go back to work April 1,” Determan said. 

The class is a high intensity hour of boxing workouts mixed with strength and conditioning exercises. The gym is also open from Monday to Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. During these hours, members can come in and complete a boxing workout at their own pace too. 

“This is for the ones that actually may compete in amateur boxing one day and want to do more than just get fit – primarily for youth ages 10 to 17 and adults,” he explained. 

Kid’s Boxing for ages six to 10 is also available one hour on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m., and if none of that works Determan also offers personal training upon request depending on scheduling. There will also be additional training from trainers at the gym who have been in the ring on an amateur and professional level.

“These trainers are seasoned and know what they are doing,” Determan added. “Boxing training in general is something we will offer that nobody in Ellis County does. The closest legit boxing gym is at the fieldhouse in Duncanville.”

Growing up in Omaha Nebraska, Determan moved to the area in 2013 to better his training and competition while fighting professionally. 

He said he wanted to be close to the DFW area, but not necessarily in the middle of the city. “Waxahachie looked like a decent size city that had potential for growth and was straight down the highway, he said. “I believe the experiences I have come across inside the ring and while working the streets can give me a combined asset to teach these kids. Yes, the fundamentals of boxing but also self-defense and ways to prevent being a victim of an attack.”

Determan said it is a fact that boxing is a lot of hard work, but he said teaching these kids and adults the value of discipline is huge.  

He had his first amateur boxing match at eight years old – weighing in at only 47 pounds. He went on to win multiple state and regional tournaments while growing up. He said one of his biggest accomplishments was when he beat a highly favored fighter from California at the National Junior Olympic Tournament in 2007. 

“This win clinched my spot on the USA Boxing Team and allowed me to travel overseas and fight for our country in the World Championships,” he explained. “I inevitably turned professional after getting bronze at the National Golden Gloves.”

He went 10-2 as a professional with eight knockouts. His final professional fight was for an international boxing organization title in Virginia where he suffered a career ending injury. 

Excited about Blue Line, Determan concluded “The community has been great and very supportive in the first two weeks of us being open. I want to see more of our youth in the gym and less video games and running the streets. Partnerships with different organizations in the future are what we are looking for to.