Detroit youth boxing program founder named one of CNN's Top 10 Heroes

The Downtown Boxing Gym is far more than just a gym. 

It's an academic program, too, that provides mentorship and tutoring to its students. The kids also get transportation to-and-from, as well as a meal for the day. 

Khali Sweeney founded the program in 2007 as a safe haven for kids in the neighborhood to help them succeed. The gym has had a 100 percent high school graduation rate for 10 straight years.

Currently, 156 kids are in Khali's program -- and 850 others are on the waiting list. 

Khali has been named one of CNN's Top 10 Heroes, and is eligible to be named 2017 CNN Hero of the Year. For more information and to vote for Khali, click here

Khali and some of his boxing students joined us in studio to tell us more about the program. You can hear from them in the video player above. 

For more information on the Downtown Boxing Gym, visit www.downtownyouthboxing.org