It takes a lot of walls, in a lot of rooms, to contain DaVarryl Williamson’s successes. When people walk in to the Touch of Sleep Boxing Gym, they pass through an office covered floor to ceiling with photos, trophies, belts, gloves and framed magazines. A lot of them feature DaVarryl in fighting stance, more than a few see the man stationed next to celebrities from the worlds of film, music and sports. The two adjoining bathrooms are done up much the same, with accolades from publications like BAC Magazine and The Sportsfan Journal on display for all to see.
DaVarryl is a wildly accomplished boxer. His career started in 1993, and since then he’s acted as a first alternate for Team USA at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, won the USA National Championships from 1996 – 1998, was a National Golden Gloves Champion 1996 – 1999, and then as a pro boxer won 27 of his 35 bouts, all in the heavyweight class. In 2023, he was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
Since 2010, DaVarryl has the owned and operated the TOS Boxing Gym in Englewood. Named after his in-the-ring nickname Touch of Sleep, the gym has acted as a home base for people of all ages to come and perfect their boxing.
But TOS is more than just a place to train in mitt work, ring movement and heavy bag conditioning. Clients come to establish routines that have benefits well outside the realm of fitness. A lot of what happens here isn’t about fighting, it’s about learning discipline, developing confidence, sharpening a mental edge and doing what it takes to have true courage. “They get a push like nobody’s business. They get encouraged,” said DaVarryl. “They get yelled at,” laughed his wife Jennifer Williamson, who does administrative stuff for the gym as well as acting as “team mom.”
TOS is not for the faint of heart. DaVarryl and his crew of coaches expect a lot from anyone who walks through the doors, with folks ranging from beginners either in or fresh out of high school, to corporate clients in need of structure, to more serious boxers who are looking to learn from someone who has really done it. “When people need to accomplish in their life, they come here for that regiment and consistency,” continued Jennifer.
While day passes are available, most of the people in the gym have memberships. DaVarryl expects members to do more than just come fight, and often has people helping to clean up or otherwise contribute. “I want people to be invested in the gym,” he said. “You find out right away if this place is for you. Once you’re here you’re family.”
While the training style isn’t for everyone, many of DaVarryl’s clients have been working with him since before TOS. “I’m hard but I’m fair,” he said, adding that the opportunity to get in the ring is a form of currency awarded only to those who are ready to put in the work. “People want to box with me. There’s not a lot people who like pushups and suicides as much as boxing. Sometimes, they will go past the point of no return.”
While toughening up future contenders, DaVarryl also runs the Touchstone Youth Project. Started a decade ago, the program takes an annual group of 18 – 22 kids and introduces them to gym-life with a heavy side of mentorship. “You give them life advice, you give them school advice. It’s just like boxing but you take it into everyday life,” said DaVarryl.
TOS Boxing Gym is located at 3910 South Kalamath Street, Englewood. It is open Monday – Thursday from 5 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday from 5 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
All photography courtesy of DaVarryl Williamson.