Our Team

Boxing since 1977, Coach Rico has over 45 years' experience under his glove. He began his training as an amateur with a record of 55-7 before going pro in '84. Chicago Golden gloves runner up in the year '80, champion years '81 and '82 and runner up in the Indianapolis Black Expo boxing tournament. Rico is our go to for fundamentals. Focusing on polishing any fighter's technique. His passion for accuracy and no-nonsense mentality is what puts him on top. if you're looking to sharpen your skills and fortify yourself mentally - Rico is the coach for you.

"The Master of Masters"

Grand Master Dr. Dimitri Paul Sr. has been in the Martial Sciences for 61 years and currently holds the rank 8th degree black belt in Tai Chi Do. 

He began the Martial Sciences in 1962 at only 5 years of age. His first disciplines were in Wu Shu, Wing Chun, Paku Chang, and Shaolin Kung fu. 

At the age 8 he was places in Tae Kwon Do under Great Grand Master Sang Kyu Shim and Master Bill Chase.

At 12 he met and began training under Derek Batten whom at the time was a 16-year-old 3rd degree black belt in Goju Ryu and procreator of a fighting system called Go Ti; in which GM Paul Holds. Master has contributed to the continued development of Go-Ti in its essence and legacy. 

At 13, his mother enrolled him in boxing at Kronk Recreation Center. He later received his black belt under Master Lloyd Russet and Grand Master Angi Uezu of Okinawa. 

He has taught many disciples over the last 55 years and impacted communities throughout the country and Detroit Metro Area. His love and passion for the science makes his big-as-life persona clear to all that he meets.

One of our best coaches, a very organized and structured coach, there will not be even one minute of you standing and doing nothing when your working out with him.

One of our best coaches, a great cardio training coach, he will have you exhausted by the end of the workout, highly recommended if you are trying to get a great workout in.

Coach Z is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. Born with an innate rhythm and lightning-fast reflexes; his journey began at the age of 7 when he first stepped into the Jungle Boxing Gym. With years of training, transforming him into a young prodigy. As he matured, so did his understanding of the sport, and he became instrumental in the establishment of his family's own boxing gym. Zayn possesses a unique ability to connect with people, his enthusiasm and genuine care make him a natural mentor. With every passing day, he continues to evolve as a fighter and a person. His story is still unfolding, each chapter filled with promise and potential driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a desire to make a positive impact on the world around him.

With over thirteen years of experience, Head Instructor Eric Leach brings a passion for the sport like few others.

Eric began his jiu jitsu career in 2009 at age 22 with the opening of Plymouth Jiu Jitsu under Detroit Jiu Jitsu. Soon after, Danny founded Detroit Jiu Jitsu passing the Plymouth school to EJ Ledesma. Eric credits much of his smaller man style of guard play to having EJ as a Longtime instructor and much of his intensity to Danny’s influence over the past decade of cross training at Detroit Jiu Jitsu.

Like most students with no prior grappling experience Eric had doubts about whether he had what it took to be a jiu jiteiro. Almost backing out, he talked himself into attending class opening day of Plymouth Jiu Jitsu and has been hooked since. Long an admirer of Royce Gracie, 14 year old Eric would rent VHS tapes of the UFC to see if he could pick up some moves. Not knowing that one day he would one day become a Black Belt in the art of Jiu Jitsu himself.

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• Defeated Top Prospect, First Round 2017 IBJJF World Masters.

• 2018 World Master Medalist