From the Inside Out: Alphonso Bailey’s Journey to Redemption and the Birth of DBNO

Long before he founded DBNO, Alphonso Bailey was a young man with promise, a football scholarship, and a tight-knit family cheering him on. But after the sudden loss of his father, his world fell apart. “I started hanging with the wrong people. I was making bad decisions. I didn’t know how to deal with the pain,” he said.

A robbery conviction and prison sentence followed. “That was my lowest point,” Alphonso said. “But it was also where I found boxing—and where I found God.”

Behind bars, Alphonso trained relentlessly. His talent was clear. Within months of his release, he was on the USA Boxing Team. Within two years, he was a professional fighter. “It happened fast. But even then, I didn’t realize just how far I’d come,” he said.

In 2000, Alphonso’s story was featured in a documentary called Down But Not Out. The response was overwhelming. “People started calling me to speak. They told me how my story moved them,” he said. “That’s when I knew—this isn’t just about boxing. This is about helping others come back, too.”

DBNO was born from that calling. Alphonso and his wife Marsha started mentoring youth. “We just wanted to give back. Help young people stay on the right path,” he said.

Now, with the gym officially opening, Alphonso reflects on the journey. “This is everything I needed when I was young. DBNO is a second chance, a safe place, a place to grow. I see myself in these kids—and I want them to see what’s possible in themselves.”