Backstreet Boxing Club & Gym
About Us
We Build Champions in the Gym and in Life. One Jab at a Time. 🥊
Who we are
Welcome to Backstreet Boxing Club & Gym. A place where sweat, struggle, and strength shape not just athletes, but better people. Based in the heart of Carencro, Louisiana, and with a gym in Opelousas, our gym was founded with a purpose deeper than just boxing. We exist to provide young people with the tools, discipline, and mentorship they need to succeed inside the ring and far beyond it.
Our Story
Meet Founder and Coach Shelton “Sweet” LeBlanc
Coach Sweet’s journey in boxing began with inspiration from his older brother, Eddie, and a passion that outshined every other sport he tried. Though he dabbled in baseball and track, it was boxing that truly captured his heart. He began training with Stutes Boxing Club and, at just 16 years old, competed in his first major adult tournament, the 1979 AAU Championships in Lake Charles, where he advanced to the semifinals. In 1980, Coach Sweet made the bold decision to skip his high school graduation ceremony to compete in the Olympic Trials, where he faced off against the legendary Hector Camacho in the quarterfinals. Over the years, he competed in over a dozen international bouts, claimed several national titles, and turned professional in 1983.
But his path wasn’t without obstacles. In 1987, his promising career was derailed by addiction. After hitting rock bottom, he made the courageous decision to turn his life around. With renewed purpose, he returned to boxing, this time as a mentor and opened a small gym under his carport in 2004. His mission? To give youth a fighting chance to avoid the mistakes he made.
Two decades later, Coach Sweet still trains kids with the same passion he had as a young fighter, charging just $25 a month to keep it accessible for all. With over 50 years of experience in the sport, he’s not just building boxers. He’s shaping futures.
Meet Our Team
Coach Bruce
Born and raised in Church Point, Coach Bruce has been in the ring since age 11, with experience in Nationals, Junior Olympics, Silver Gloves, and Golden Gloves. He started training at Stutes Gym in the early ‘80s alongside longtime friend Coach Shelton.
Bruce's mission is simple: keep kids off the streets and give them purpose. He keeps them active with weekend fights and training that feels like a mini-vacation, especially for kids who’ve never left Lafayette.
“Boxing isn’t for everybody,” he says, “but if we can help 2 out of 5, we’re doing good.”
Coach DKirk
Born and raised in Lafayette, Coach Kirk may not have stepped into the ring as a boxer, but he's been in the fight his whole life. He lives and breathes boxing, and even ran his own gym, building a space where young people felt safe, seen, and supported.
What sets DKirk apart is his dedication to the kids. He goes above and beyond, whether it’s driving them to training, helping with school, or just being someone they can count on. His heart is in it 100%.
“We’re all fighting for the same thing, turning these kids into champions,” he says. In and out of the ring, Coach DKirk is about building discipline, confidence, and community.
Coach Dedrick
Coach Dedrick, Coach Bruce’s younger brother, grew up in Church Point and has been around boxing his whole life, starting even younger than Bruce. The two came up together in the sport, training and fighting side by side.
These days, Coach Dedrick is the backbone of the gym’s operations. He handles everything from registrations and physicals to getting kids signed up for tournaments and competitions. But he’s not just behind the scenes, he also works closely with the youth, keeping them on track and making sure they’re ready to compete.
With deep roots in the sport and the community, Coach Dedrick plays a key role in keeping the gym running and the kids moving forward.
Want to join us?
Whether you’ve never put on a pair of gloves or you’ve already laced up for a few fights, there’s a place for you here. We welcome all levels, from beginners looking to get in shape or stay out of trouble, to experienced fighters ready to take their skills to the next level.
Our gym is built on community, not ego. You’ll train side by side with people who are just starting out and others chasing championship belts. No matter your age, background, or fitness level, we’re here to support your journey. One jab, one round, one breakthrough at a time.
At just $25/month, our membership makes world-class coaching and life-changing discipline accessible to everyone. When you train with us, you're not just learning how to throw punches, you're learning how to fight for your goals.
So if you’re ready to work, grow, and be part of something bigger... we’ve got a spot for you.
Come see what it means to be a champion. In the gym and in life.
Our Locations
Carencro Gym
150 Arnaudville Rd, Carencro, La 70520
Opelousas Gym
729 West Cherry Street, Opelousas, La 70570