Darren Godfrey, a notable figure in the realm of slap fighting, has big aspirations to impact the lives of young children through boxing. Godfrey, who originally comes from Annscroft, is happy to sport the name “Darren ‘Tarantula’ Godfrey.” He has a phenomenal 20-year career to his name including success in boxing, bare-knuckle and kick boxing. His recent endeavors in the sport have placed him in the spotlight, particularly following his participation in the US reality TV show Power Slap: Road to the Title in 2023.
Yet now Godfrey is turning all his knowledge and newfound life into a bigger cause—a gym he’s recently acquired. He envisions this establishment to be a hub for Baltimore that goes beyond a training ground. The position provides him a unique opportunity to affect real and lasting change in his community. Godfrey’s classes have opened up to include children as young as five years old. As a result, they have become extremely popular, immediately filling every session with 25 eager participants.
“This is home now, this is our church… I’ve been a fighter all my life,” Godfrey expressed. “Everyone who walks through these doors will all be family to us now.”
While Godfrey teaches classes, he is preparing for his own world title competition in power slap. He’s got even larger plans for the next few months! He is currently negotiating to be a headliner on an unannounced boxing event this November in London. As these commitments loom on the horizon, he is still focused on bringing that same discipline and hard work into the next generation of youth he trains.
Godfrey was candid when reflecting on his own past, admitting that boxing kept him on the right path. “Boxing, growing up, saved me—and I could save a lot more children now, get them off the streets,” he stated. His sentiment echoes other community members, including Mark Elliott, who spoke out about the dangers of abandoning young people. “You leave these youths in the street they’re going to be out there causing havoc,” Elliott remarked.
Godfrey’s decision to seize the opportunity and run the gym was really motivated by him always wanting to open up a gym himself. “A friend of mine owned the gym and just didn’t have the time for it anymore,” he explained. “As soon as this opportunity came along, I took it with both hands.” Since then, under his leadership, he has redirected the energy of the facility. As he puts it, he has ignited what he refers to as “a fire” inside of him.
Despite his own personal loss, Hesman is unyielding in his conviction that the gym offers one of the few lifelines for neighborhood kids. “They’ve got a place now where they can release their energy… it’s perfect,” he asserted. And Godfrey proves that he is equally committed to training the future’s boxing champions. He aims to foster a deep bond between these young competitive athletes.
