‘Left uppercut! Left uppercut!” yells Joey DeMalavez, Philly tough guy and former pro boxer, as seven neophyte pugilists advance, slicing the air with gloved fists at Joltin’ Jabs, the trainer’s Main Street Manayunk gym.

Their opponents: in the mirrors in front of them.

“Jab!” DeMalavez orders. For some, there’s a bit of hand tremor, a shuffle to their gait. DeMalavez marvels at their determination. “Amazing.”

All have Parkinson’s disease. For them, noncontact boxing is exercise as weapon.

 

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