Polk Street Boxing Trainers
Simon Redmond
OWNER/HEAD TRAINER
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Simon Redmond has been living, boxing, and fighting competitively in San Francisco since 1996.
Simon fought and won the 1999 Golden Gloves in the Cow Palace here in San Francisco. He is a champion with a reputation of being "a hard charger, totally game, relying heavily on reach and power" (SF Bay Guardian).
In the 2001 Northern California Golden Gloves Tournament, USA Boxing awarded him the John Vidal trophy for the "most exciting bout" out of more than 70 fights.
Shortly after, he was asked to fight on the under-card of ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" in a pro-am card televised nationally from San Francisco.
The following year, Simon was unable to compete in the Golden Gloves due to immigration status issues but later fought the 2002 champion, who had a perfect 7 and 0 record, and defeated him. In 2003, with the desire to train other boxers, he cofounded 3rd St Boxing Gym. After a successful four years of teaching boxing and training fighters from all over San Francisco, Simon, with his 3rd St. Gym partner, opened Titanium Training Center in 2007 to bring on more trainers and teach a wider audience his passion.
In January 2010 he broke away from 3rd St Gym and took over Titanium Training Center and renamed and relaunched it as Polk St Gym.
Simon lives in the city with his future wife and their 2 children.
Ken Stone
MANAGER
A native of San Francisco, Ken started studying martial arts from an early age. By the age of 17, Ken had enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and began training and competing as a Kickboxer.
During this time Ken accumulated a record of 15 wins and only 2 losses, with 9 wins coming by way of knockout, and won both cruiserweight and heavy-weight amateur kickboxing titles. In 1994, Ken became the 1st instructor to teach kickboxing in mainstream gyms in San Francisco, starting at 24 Hour Nautilus.
After 3 years there, Ken began teaching at both Gold's and World's Gym, where he taught for 5 years at each. Ken is now the manager of Polk Street Gym.
Derek Galanis
Derek began studying martial arts when he was 11 years old. He received his Black Belt in Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan while living in the United Kingdom. He began full contact training in both kickboxing and boxing in the early nineties.
He has fought more than ten fully sanctioned kickboxing bouts in Mexico and the United States and currently enjoys competing in smokers locally in San Francisco. He has a degree in history from Cal State University San Marcos.
Charlie Castillo
Originally from Cuba, Charlie Castillo has been involved in boxing or the martial arts since he was four. Raised in Miami, he trained with Cuban exile coaches. Since, coming to San Francisco in 1992, he has trained numerous boxers and kickboxers alike.
He is active within the boxing community and advocates for youth boxing as a way out for kids. As a former SFUSD teacher and currently a City Employee, he continues to teach and advocate for the sport of his youth.
"I believe in the sport and see a purity and beauty that only comes from boxing. It tests your mind, your will, and your body."
Ernie Baton
Ernie has been teaching at Polk Street since 2007, and has been a certified personal trainer for 15 years.
He is a strength and conditioning coach for professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes infootball, baseball, rugby, track and field, and triathlons.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and was the Fitness Director for Gold’s Gym Santa Barbara. He has been teaching boxing for five years in San Francisco at Crunch, Gorilla Sports, and Pinnacle Fitness.
Paris
Paris has a 25-year career in boxing, including 14 years as a professional fighter. His amateur career began in 1981 where was a three-time Golden Gloves Champion, a participant in the 1984 Olympic Trails and the winner of the 1982 Police Athletic League Fighter of the Year.
He turned pro in 1986 and ended the year with an 8-0 record. In 1996, he won the California State and US Lightweight titles and was ranked 16th in the World. Over the course of his professional career, he fought six world champions, including Oscar de la Hoya, on four continents. Paris retired from professional boxing in 2000, and has been teaching at Polk Street since 2007.
Derek Galanis
Derek began studying martial arts when he was 11 years old. He received his Black Belt in Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan while living in the United Kingdom. He began full contact training in both kickboxing and boxing in the early nineties.
He has fought more than ten fully sanctioned kickboxing bouts in Mexico and the United States and currently enjoys competing in smokers locally in San Francisco. He has a degree in history from Cal State University San Marcos.
Thai Poblete
Thai started boxing at Newman Gym in the 70’s and moved on to Percita Boxing Gym in the 80’s, after which he trained at M&M Gym on Harrison Street in San Francisco and then moved over to the Kings organization established in Oakland California.
- Head coach for Oakland PAL(Police Activity League) boxing program for 7years
- Started training in martial arts at the age of 8 in Hapkido with Philip Rhee and Simon Rhee for nearly 10 years
- Trained in northern Sim Lum for three years with Mr. Louie
- Trained in Muay Thai, Thai kick boxing for 10 years
- Certified by Fairtex and Cheetah Muay Thai Academys
- Also trained in Thailand at the Muay Thai Camp
Thai has produced 2 Junior Olympians USA boxing champions:
- Nick Murphy
- Dylan Murphy (also recognized as a Muay Thai Junior Olympic Champion)
Thai has also produced:
- 2 time Golden Glove champion James Johnson
- 3 times and State PAL champion Tyrone Titus now gone professional
- State PAL champion Adrian Gallon
- John Manos a Master Class at Kansas City 175 light heavy champion at the age 57
Thai is currently working with Inqurie Gutierrez 6 times Golden Glove champion rated number one at the age of 16 internationally and US National champion. Thai has instructed, trained and participated in boxing camps in Big Bear California and Las Vegas at Top Rank.
