The Last Round — Local services in New York

The years I spent training with Freddie Soto while I lived in NYC profoundly shaped my life. Not only did I gain incredible physical fitness and awesome boxing abilities, this was a rare place where I could shed my insecurities. I felt free to fully express myself - through the art that Freddie taught me, and because of the Way he taught me.

Freddie's boxing and teaching acumen are so high-level, he took a newbie like me, and had me able to put in rounds with some of the country's top fighters, and compete against the nation's #1-ranked fighter in my weight class. His teaching is all-encompassing. Not only is he a top-tier boxing and conditioning trainer, but from the jump, he required that I take notes on our lessons after every session; he assigned Bruce Lee's "Tao of Jeet Kun Do" as a requisite to our work; and mandatory meditations followed every sparring session. My passing the art of boxing forward also became a fundamental piece of his teaching me.

Any gym I went to, anywhere, people wanted to know who my trainer was.

Freddie not only selflessly poured his time, energy and expertise into our training, in the midst of his demanding work and training schedule, he also welcomed me in with his beautiful, bright-shining family, where there was such strong love and a lot of laughs. I cannot begin to explain what this did to my heart.

I was the first fighter Freddie ever took on. We are about the same age, yet he taught me so much -- not only the sport I love so much, but he really paved the roads for my ongoing growth as a human being.

Now 15 years later, as I continue to grow as a person, so many of my personal breakthroughs have come through pathways that Freddie laid the foundation for. Every epiphany I have ties back in some way to the lessons and experiences boxing afforded me. Sometimes, a new life lesson arises -- one that I might not otherwise be ready for -- but not for some profound boxing lesson that already had this life wisdom nestled in its shell. I trace these new opportunities back to those ring lessons, like "mathematical proof" of reality's true nature, beyond the surface. Freddie has been a shaping force in my Life.

I would not be who I am today, on to my Last Round, if not for Freddie all those years ago.

Thank you, "Sensei" Freddie Soto, from the bottom of my Heart.

Much Love,

Jordan "The Grasshopper"...

“An Absolute Knockout of a Workout!”

If you’re looking for a boxing gym that pushes you to your limits while keeping the energy high and the vibes even higher, this is the place to be! From the moment you step in, you’re met with a welcoming and motivating atmosphere that makes you want to give it your all.

The coaches? Top-tier. They know their stuff and will challenge you, correct your form, and hype you up in a way that makes you feel like a champion. The workouts are intense but fun, mixing in technique, conditioning, and just the right amount of burn to leave you dripping in sweat and ready for more.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned boxer, there’s something for everyone. The class energy is contagious, and by the end, you’ll be exhausted but grinning—because nothing beats that post-boxing high.

Highly recommend this gym to anyone looking to level up their fitness, sharpen their skills, and be part of an awesome community. Five stars all the way!

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The Last Round is my new home. I was heartbroken when Mendez Boxing closed during the pandemic but thankfully the Mendez spirit loves on through The Last Round. It's an environment of multiple skill levels, positively embracing anyone interested in improving their health. The sense of comaraderie, support, humor and work mixed with play makes The Last Round the perfect place to discipline the body, quiet and focus the mind and sharpen the instincts. The owners, trainers and staff consistently work to add apparatus, training tools and enhance the overall user experience. Biggest plus in my opinion is the 2 well maintained, sanitary showers. Honestly, I think that if you're not smiling and laughing in a pool of sweat at some point during the workout, you're not doing it right. The Last Round...