The Legacy
Born from a simple belief in the power of sport, Bear Mountain Boxing began as a grassroots initiative to provide a safe and structured environment for youth in our community. We recognized that access to professional boxing was not a privilege, but a right for every child who dreams of excellence.
As a traveling team, we have traversed the landscape of the USA Boxing affiliated circuit, bringing our mission of empowerment to schools and community centers across the nation. Our program is built on the foundation of discipline, respect, and the shared heritage of our athletes.
Today, we continue to grow our impact through fundraising and dedicated coaching, ensuring that the next generation of champions has the tools to succeed. We are more than a team; we are a legacy of perseverance and a community that stands together.
In the Corner
Boxing is more than a sport, it is a reflection of life itself. My coaching philosophy is built around introducing people to boxing in a way that creates understanding before intimidation, passion before pressure, and discipline before competition. First, we teach individuals how to appreciate the art of boxing: the movement, strategy, sacrifice, and mental focus that make it one of the purest forms of human expression. From there, students develop the confidence and technical foundation to enjoy participating in the sport, whether for fitness, personal growth, or competition. For those who choose to pursue greatness, the lessons learned in the gym—resilience, composure under pressure, accountability, and perseverance—become the tools that allow them to compete at the highest levels both inside and outside the ring.
Boxing teaches that life will test every person eventually. The goal is not simply to win fights, but to build individuals who are willing to step forward when challenged, embrace adversity, and grow stronger through it. As Coach Jean Louis Bouquet said: “Always enter into the arena, so that you shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
Coach Brian Bouquet
Head Coach & Founder
About the Coach
Brian Bouquet brings over 30 years of experience in coaching boxing fitness, amateur, and professional boxing. Trained under the nationally recognized KO Boxing program in Colorado, he competed extensively in USA Boxing and as a fighter in national Tough Man competitions before becoming a coach and co-owner of Swartz Boxing Gym alongside national champion Shane Swartz.
Brian later created and produced the Fight Night intercollegiate Tough Man competitions across Colorado and Wyoming, which led to a career in boxing promotions and championship fight marketing. He has worked with elite fighters Shane Swartz, Jermain Taylor, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Paulie Ayala and organizations including USA Network/Tuesday Night Fights, SOCA Fights and Golden Boy Presents.
He has coached at Marciano’s Gym (Ohio), Central Boxing Gym (Mike Tyson’s gym in AZ), and co-founded Capistrano Boxing Gym, creating the boxing program which has produced multiple Golden Gloves competitors and professional boxers since 2017. A current volunteer USA Boxing Coach and licensed trainer/second with the California State Athletic Commission, Brian has also spent much of his career working with at-risk youth through nonprofit boxing programs. Now a semi-retired executive from the entertainment industry, Brian is a Big Bear resident and volunteers with the United States Adaptive Recreation Center at Bear Mountain.
