A fighter who never stopped showing up
Freeman Watkins came up boxing in Detroit, Michigan — a city that forges fighters. He carried that craft, discipline, and grit south to Jackson, Mississippi, and poured it into a gym where everyone, from first-timers to competitors, gets a real corner in their fight.
The meaning behind “Keep Swinging”
To Coach Freeman, boxing was never only about the ring. It is a way of meeting hardship — you protect yourself, you stay on your feet, and you keep throwing punches until the bell. He named the gym Keep Swinging because that is the lesson he wants every member to carry out the door: when life backs you into the ropes, you do not quit. You keep swinging.
That mindset shows up in how he coaches — patient with beginners, demanding in the best way, and personally invested in each member’s progress from day one.
More than a gym — a mission
Coach Freeman built Keep Swinging Boxing & Fitness as a place that fights for the whole community: mentoring young people, helping members take on chronic conditions like diabetes, and pursuing Rock Steady Boxing certification to serve the Parkinson’s community in Jackson.
He draws on his own family’s experiences with chronic illness — which is exactly why he meets every new member by listening first to their goals.
“Freeman and I met on July 17, 2012, and I started my membership later that evening after taking my boys to the gym with me. I felt immediately at home with both Freeman and the rustic smell of the boxing gym — filled with everything I would need to help me mount my fight against diabetes.
Despite his role as mentor and lead trainer, Freeman gave me his full attention when listening to my goals and objectives. After speaking with him and experiencing the ‘feel’ of the gym, I knew I had to join. Freeman himself encouraged me — because of his own personal experiences with family members suffering from diabetes.”
Want to hear it in person? Coach Freeman is in the gym Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings at 3895 Henderson Road. Check the schedule or reach out to set up your first session.
Visit the gym
Where to find us
3895 Henderson Road
Jackson, MS 39272-4411
Open mat: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00–7:00 PM. See the full class schedule and membership options.
Community partners
Our fundraising and merchandise support New Vineyard CDC alongside the gym — empowering youth, strengthening community, and spreading hope one punch, one purpose, one shirt at a time. Shop Keep Swinging gear ›
We’re also pursuing Rock Steady Boxing certification to serve the Parkinson’s community in Jackson. Read more in Boxing and Fitness.
Our Commitment to Personal Growth
Five pillars guide every class, every match, and every conversation in the gym.
Empowering our members through boxing
Skill, fitness, and the mindset of a fighter — all built one round at a time.
EmpowermentBuilding a strong community together
A welcoming culture where new members are coached by veterans and championed by their peers.
CommunityTransforming lives through fitness
Holistic conditioning, nutrition guidance, and progress tracking so transformations stick.
TransformationYouth mentorship and development programs
Discipline, accountability, and academic support woven into every youth session. Youth boxing program ›
MentorshipEngaging with local sports events
From friendly showcases to sanctioned tournaments — we put our work on display. Tournaments & events ›
EngagementLeadership
The people behind Keep Swinging Boxing & Fitness — in the ring, in the office, and in the community.
Freeman Watkins is a retired boxer from Detroit, Michigan, and the heart and head coach of Keep Swinging Boxing & Fitness — mentor, lead trainer, and the reason members feel at home from day one.
Read the full story of how Coach Freeman built the gym and the philosophy behind its name in The coach’s story above.
Bio coming soon — we’re putting the finishing touches on Dr. Wicks’ full story. Reach Dr. Wicks directly at (769) 257-0272 or [email protected] for press inquiries, partnerships, and community outreach.
See our full coaching team for the trainers running classes and tournament prep. Hear from members on our testimonials page.
Boxing royalty was born here
Mississippi is widely recognized as the state with the most Hall of Fame boxers per capita in the nation. We’re proud to carry that lineage forward, right here at 3895 Henderson Road in Jackson.
The greats from Mississippi
A roll call of world champions, contenders, and trainers who shaped the sport.
Archie Moore
Benoit, MS · “The Old Mongoose”
Held the world light-heavyweight championship from 1952–1962 — the longest reign in the division’s history — and holds the all-time record for most knockouts with 132.
Henry Armstrong
Columbus, MS · “Hammerin’ Hank”
The only fighter in history to hold three world titles simultaneously — featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight — in 1938.
Freddie Little
Picayune, MS
WBA and WBC middleweight champion in 1969 with 53 professional victories. A Mississippi Hall of Fame staple alongside Moore and Armstrong.
Kennedy McKinney
Hernando, MS
Former IBF super bantamweight champion and 1988 Olympic gold medalist — an enduring symbol of Mississippi’s ring talent on the global stage.
Ernie Terrell
Belzoni, MS
Former WBA heavyweight champion and one of the tallest, longest-armed heavyweights of his era.
Buster Mathis
Sledge, MS
Heavyweight contender who shared the ring with both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, leaving an indelible mark on the golden era of heavyweights.
Alfonso Ratliff
Chicago / Mississippi roots
Former WBC cruiserweight champion, part of Mississippi’s deep bench of world title holders across the weight classes.
Eddie Futch
Born in Mississippi · Legendary trainer
One of the greatest boxing trainers of all time. Cornered Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and a string of world champions — a Mississippi-born mind behind the gloves.
Sullivan vs. Kilrain
Richburg, MS · July 8, 1889
Mississippi hosted the last great bare-knuckle heavyweight championship: John L. Sullivan defeated Jake Kilrain after 75 rounds — one of the most storied fights of the 19th century.
Mississippi by the numbers
- Most Hall of Fame boxers per capita of any U.S. state, led by Archie Moore, Henry Armstrong, and Freddie Little.
- Three of the greatest light-heavyweight and welterweight careers in history started on Mississippi soil.
- Eddie Futch — born here, trained champions — gave the sport one of its most influential cornermen.
- The state was the site of the last great bare-knuckle heavyweight title fight (Sullivan–Kilrain, Richburg, 1889).
Sources: WJTV, Wikipedia: Boxers from Mississippi, Commercial Dispatch.
A fighter who never stopped showing up
Freeman Watkins came up boxing in Detroit, Michigan — a city that forges fighters. He carried that craft, discipline, and grit south to Jackson, Mississippi, and poured it into a gym where everyone, from first-timers to competitors, gets a real corner in their fight.
The meaning behind “Keep Swinging”
To Coach Freeman, boxing was never only about the ring. It is a way of meeting hardship — you protect yourself, you stay on your feet, and you keep throwing punches until the bell. He named the gym Keep Swinging because that is the lesson he wants every member to carry out the door: when life backs you into the ropes, you do not quit. You keep swinging.
That mindset shows up in how he coaches — patient with beginners, demanding in the best way, and personally invested in each member’s progress from day one.
More than a gym — a mission
Coach Freeman built Keep Swinging Boxing & Fitness as a place that fights for the whole community: mentoring young people, helping members take on chronic conditions like diabetes, and pursuing Rock Steady Boxing certification to serve the Parkinson’s community in Jackson.
He draws on his own family’s experiences with chronic illness — which is exactly why he meets every new member by listening first to their goals.
“Freeman and I met on July 17, 2012, and I started my membership later that evening after taking my boys to the gym with me. I felt immediately at home with both Freeman and the rustic smell of the boxing gym — filled with everything I would need to help me mount my fight against diabetes.
Despite his role as mentor and lead trainer, Freeman gave me his full attention when listening to my goals and objectives. After speaking with him and experiencing the ‘feel’ of the gym, I knew I had to join. Freeman himself encouraged me — because of his own personal experiences with family members suffering from diabetes.”
Want to hear it in person? Coach Freeman is in the gym Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings at 3895 Henderson Road. Check the schedule or reach out to set up your first session.
Visit the gym
Where to find us
3895 Henderson Road
Jackson, MS 39272-4411
Open mat: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00–7:00 PM
Community partners
Our fundraising and merchandise support New Vineyard CDC alongside the gym — empowering youth, strengthening community, and spreading hope one punch, one purpose, one shirt at a time.
We’re also pursuing Rock Steady Boxing certification to serve the Parkinson’s community in Jackson.
Our Commitment to Personal Growth
Five pillars guide every class, every match, and every conversation in the gym.
Empowering our members through boxing
Skill, fitness, and the mindset of a fighter — all built one round at a time.
EmpowermentBuilding a strong community together
A welcoming culture where new members are coached by veterans and championed by their peers.
CommunityTransforming lives through fitness
Holistic conditioning, nutrition guidance, and progress tracking so transformations stick.
TransformationYouth mentorship and development programs
Discipline, accountability, and academic support woven into every youth session.
MentorshipEngaging with local sports events
From friendly showcases to sanctioned tournaments — we put our work on display.
EngagementLeadership
The people behind Keep Swinging Boxing & Fitness — in the ring, in the office, and in the community.
Freeman Watkins is a retired boxer from Detroit, Michigan, and the heart and head coach of Keep Swinging Boxing & Fitness — mentor, lead trainer, and the reason members feel at home from day one.
Read the full story of how Coach Freeman built the gym and the philosophy behind its name in The coach’s story above.
Bio coming soon — we’re putting the finishing touches on Dr. Wicks’ full story. Reach Dr. Wicks directly at (769) 257-0272 or [email protected] for press inquiries, partnerships, and community outreach.
See our full coaching team for the trainers running classes and tournament prep.
Boxing royalty was born here
Mississippi is widely recognized as the state with the most Hall of Fame boxers per capita in the nation. We’re proud to carry that lineage forward, right here at 3895 Henderson Road in Jackson.
The greats from Mississippi
A roll call of world champions, contenders, and trainers who shaped the sport.
Archie Moore
Benoit, MS · “The Old Mongoose”
Held the world light-heavyweight championship from 1952–1962 — the longest reign in the division’s history — and holds the all-time record for most knockouts with 132.
Henry Armstrong
Columbus, MS · “Hammerin’ Hank”
The only fighter in history to hold three world titles simultaneously — featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight — in 1938.
Freddie Little
Picayune, MS
WBA and WBC middleweight champion in 1969 with 53 professional victories. A Mississippi Hall of Fame staple alongside Moore and Armstrong.
Kennedy McKinney
Hernando, MS
Former IBF super bantamweight champion and 1988 Olympic gold medalist — an enduring symbol of Mississippi’s ring talent on the global stage.
Ernie Terrell
Belzoni, MS
Former WBA heavyweight champion and one of the tallest, longest-armed heavyweights of his era.
Buster Mathis
Sledge, MS
Heavyweight contender who shared the ring with both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, leaving an indelible mark on the golden era of heavyweights.
Alfonso Ratliff
Chicago / Mississippi roots
Former WBC cruiserweight champion, part of Mississippi’s deep bench of world title holders across the weight classes.
Eddie Futch
Born in Mississippi · Legendary trainer
One of the greatest boxing trainers of all time. Cornered Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and a string of world champions — a Mississippi-born mind behind the gloves.
Sullivan vs. Kilrain
Richburg, MS · July 8, 1889
Mississippi hosted the last great bare-knuckle heavyweight championship: John L. Sullivan defeated Jake Kilrain after 75 rounds — one of the most storied fights of the 19th century.
Mississippi by the numbers
- Most Hall of Fame boxers per capita of any U.S. state, led by Archie Moore, Henry Armstrong, and Freddie Little.
- Three of the greatest light-heavyweight and welterweight careers in history started on Mississippi soil.
- Eddie Futch — born here, trained champions — gave the sport one of its most influential cornermen.
- The state was the site of the last great bare-knuckle heavyweight title fight (Sullivan–Kilrain, Richburg, 1889).
Sources: WJTV, Wikipedia: Boxers from Mississippi, Commercial Dispatch.