Steven Collazo

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Steven Collazo found boxing at just 10 years old. He competed throughout his youth, but by 18, family responsibilities took priority and pulled him away from the ring. Even then, boxing never left him. Rather than stepping away from the sport, Steven shifted his focus to training and mentoring, determined to stay connected and pass along the discipline and values boxing had given him.

Steven moved to South Florida in 1996 at the age of 22 and by 1998 became actively involved with the Broward Sheriff’s Office PAL program. As a coach, he worked closely with local athletes, preparing them to compete at the local, regional, and national levels. His leadership grew naturally over time, leading him to serve as Junior Olympic Chairman and head coach for multiple National Golden Gloves and Junior Olympic teams.

In 2000, while coaching at Tamarac PAL, Steven met a young boxer named Jeffrey Poritz. From the start, he saw something special in Jeff—an old soul with sharp instincts and maturity beyond his years. Steven coached Jeff through national tournaments and remained a trusted mentor even after Jeff moved to Tampa. Their connection never faded, with Steven continuing to guide and support Jeff as he developed into the leader and coach he is today.

Steven’s impact has always extended beyond the ring. He spent five years coaching at Boca PAL, helping strengthen the program and its role in the community. In 2009, he was recruited to build the Deerfield Beach PAL program from the ground up. His vision went beyond athletics, creating opportunities in boxing, soccer, baseball, softball, wrestling, volleyball, golf, DJ production, lighting, tutoring, and other creative outlets designed to engage and uplift at-risk youth. He led the program until 2018, when he was promoted to Supervisor of Parks and Recreation for the City of Deerfield Beach.

Despite his professional responsibilities, Steven never stopped training fighters. He eventually reunited with Jeff, and the two began working side by side, traveling nationally and internationally with their athletes. When Jeff invited Steven to help build the youth program at his gym, it brought their journey full circle, creating a space built on mentorship, discipline, and opportunity. Steven Collazo is a cornerstone of our nonprofit’s mission. His decades of experience, dedication to youth development, and lifelong commitment to boxing continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives he touches and the next generation he helps shape.