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The Burbank Leader
February 11, 2004
by Ryan Carter

Going for the knockout

A 75-year-old trainer is hoping Gio's Brooklyn Boxing Club becomes a unanimous decision for all ages in Burbank.

Civic Center - Giorlando "Gio" Castronovo has brought a slice of Brooklyn to downtown Burbank.

Castronovo, 75, who is 5 feet 7 and from behind looks like a 25 year-old in his prime, recently opened Gio's Brooklyn Boxing Club at 116 San Fernando Blvd. He's hoping for a knockout.

Inside the revamped building is an 18-by-18 foot regulation boxing ring that is the centerpiece of Castronovo's new boxing club, which will have its grand opening Feb. 27.

On Monday, a group of children exercised on punching bags near the ring. Another trio of kids punched the speed bags in a separate room. Castronovo worked with all of them in the ring, putting on punching mitts to absorb the blows and allowing kids to throw jabs and uppercuts while he taught them to move their feet and punch at the same time.

Downstairs is a weight room, and upstairs is a room Castronovo's wife, Liberty, envisions as a possible spot for more low-impact exercise classes.

The club offers boxing classes, grappling training, self-defense for women, yoga and body sculpting along with nutritional guidance for men, women, teenagers and children.

The club is a dream come true for Castronovo, who has lived in Burbank for 25 years.

"I would give boxing classes at World Gym, but as I gave them, there was not enough room in the weight rooms, and we began to interfere with the bodybuilders," he said. "I finally decided to do this on my own and build my own boxing club. It was something my dad always wanted."

It was through his father, a New York trainer known as "Lefty" Castron, that Castronovo kept boxing in his life. After a stint as a fighter, he joined his father as a trainer. Growing up, the young Castronovo continued to train as a boxer. But he incorporated jujitsu into his training, and ultimately made a name for himself as a bodybuilder.

Membership registration at the new club began a week ago, and parents, children and adults seem to already be enjoying it.

"It's really fun, and I try to get here every day after school as much as I can," said Ashley Jawiche, 16.

"I want to be the No.1 boxing club for Los Angeles," Castronovo said of the venture. And I want to coach a lot of children and help them keep a straight path in their life. Once they start taking care of themselves and their training, they start to feel better about themselves."