'Sober Warriors' in Brockton using boxing to recover from addiction

Boxers in Brockton are using the sport to help in their recovery from addiction.

The men are part of a movement called "Sober Warriors," using boxing to fight their demons, and fight their opponents.

"We have other fighters in recovery that don't know anything about boxing, but it's an outlet for them," Chad Leoncello said.

Leoncello said he didn't know anything about boxing two years ago, when he was an alcoholic and drug addict under legal threat of losing the right to see his toddler son.

Then, Leoncello walked into a boxing gym, and his sobriety started. Now, he's spreading the message about the benefits of the sport in the fight for sobriety.

"At the end of the day, it's not a pitcher and catcher in the ring. It's you by yourself," Leoncello said. "Sobriety is you by yourself with some support."

Jonny Leoncello, also a member of "Sober Warriors," said the sport has positive impacts on your emotions.

"It makes you feel good," Jonny Leoncello said. "Self-esteem boost yourself."

The support comes from others who know what Leoncello and the boxers are going through, and also from trainer and co-owner of Cappiello Bros. Boxing Gym, Mike Cappiello.

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"This is a positive thing moving in the right direction," Cappiello said. "Any way we can help, it's a great thing to do."

The ring's boundaries and rules provide confines for the men, giving stability to lives once in free fall.

"We do recover from it," Jonny Leoncello said. "There is a way out, there's a new way of life."

Cox Media Group