Boxing Back: The Knockout Program’s Fight for Reintegration

Project Leader Interview

3 Questions with Pablo Almuli and Eunice Rendon

As the world celebrates the power of sports to inspire and unite during the Paris 2024 Olympic season, the Knockout program, one of the 2023-2024 Scale-up projects, exemplifies how boxing can drive transformative change. In this interview with Pablo Almuli and Eunice Rendon, explore with us how this initiative helps inmates reintegrate into society and learn more about its profound impact on participants and their communities.

Can you give us a brief overview of the Knockout program and its objectives in helping inmates reintegrate into society through boxing and emotional care?

"Knockout: Do Not Give Up" is a tertiary prevention model implemented by Red VIRAL, the World Boxing Council, and the Foundation for Reconciliation and Forgiveness. It uses boxing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and emotional support to aid reintegration, reduce recidivism, and provide training and certification as professional boxing trainers through the University of the WBC. The program equips individuals with life skills to reintegrate into society and reduce antisocial and violent behaviors.

Could you elaborate on some specific success stories that demonstrate the impact of the Knockout program on the lives of the participants and their communities?

Omar spent 23 years in prison, facing escapes, recaptures, and punishments. During that period, he lost his father, his wife left him, and he was separated from his daughters. Filled with resentment, he joined our program, letting go of his hatred through a forgiveness workshop. The program helped Omar feel ready to leave prison. Now, two years after his release, he trains young people, has a WBC coaching certificate, is about to marry, and has rebuilt a close relationship with one daughter.

In your opinion, how do initiatives like the Knockout program influence wider conversations about the role of sports in encouraging positive behaviors and enhancing global governance? Additionally, what significance do the Olympic Games hold for you in this context?

Knockout shows how sports can drive lasting development and reduce crime. By combining sports with emotional support and life skills, it fosters peace, resilience, and social reintegration, tackling violence's root causes. It also builds teamwork, discipline, inclusion, tolerance, commitment, trust, and equity. To us, the Olympic Games symbolize the power of sport to unite and inspire people around the globe. In the same vein, our program aims to promote positive values within the community.

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