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Paroled Ex-Convict Uses Boxing to Steer Youth From Violence

8/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Social worker Francisco Villarruel mentors Hispanic youth in Los Angeles using boxing to break violence cycles.
He trains 19-year-old Gustavo Galvez, who fears daily gun violence, in a park.
California reports thousands of Hispanic gun injuries annually and half of 1,374 homicide victims were Hispanic.
He was paroled in 2019 after 17 years and now uses boxing and pool at Inglewood workshops to discuss trauma.

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Story summary

Social worker Francisco Villarruel mentors Hispanic youth in Los Angeles using boxing to break violence cycles.
He trains 19-year-old Gustavo Galvez, who fears daily gun violence, in a park.
California reports thousands of Hispanic gun injuries annually and half of 1,374 homicide victims were Hispanic.
He was paroled in 2019 after 17 years and now uses boxing and pool at Inglewood workshops to discuss trauma.