One student’s family tradition in the ring

Story by Sara Hickman
Photos by Scott R. Galvin

A strong sense of testosterone and the musky smell of sweat pervade the body-heated main room of the Rubber City Boxing Club on South Main Street in Akron.

Three large, wounded punching bags sway slowly from the ceiling, resting after a long day of practice. A large mirror framed in 2-by-4s runs along the side wall next to a bulletin board displaying newspaper articles about the club members. Alcohol advertisements and boxing match posters line the opposite wall.

The bell sits in the corner, filling the room with a long, loud ringing every three minutes. A boxing ring made of rope, duct tape and unfinished 2-by-4s stands in the front of the room.

Nicolai Firtha, a Kent State freshman, is 6-foot-2 and a firm 240 lbs. He stands, shadowboxing, ready to practice in the ring. His workout today includes working on his jabs and hooks, intensive jump-rope training and 50 reps on an abdominal wheel.

His faded Alaska T-shirt and long khaki shorts are soaked in sweat, and he trains with a constant look of fierce concentration on his face. His deep, calculated breaths help keep him focused as he repeatedly punches the mitts worn by one of the club’s trainers.

The 22-year-old Akron native has a promising boxing career on both the local and national levels, but understanding Nicolai’s success requires looking back to his heritage.

Nicolai has boxing in his blood. He grew up in gyms and around boxing rings, getting patted on the head by some of the local and national greats, like Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Todd Hickman, when his father, Joe, lived the life in the ring.