LAS VEGAS -- A household name in the boxing world is reaching out to the community for help.
Hall of fame boxing referee Richard Steele helps troubled children get on the right path by teaching them more than self-defense.
Richard Steele got an email just a couple days ago that his grant request was turned down because the state just doesn't have the money.
He has about 200 kids in his classes now and he's going to need a lot of help to make sure he can continue this humanitarian work.
The grant he has received from the state is for more than $200,000. It helps him not only keep the gym running but has also helped expand his outreach.
The kids not only learn self-defense but they also have a classroom where they teach kids to stay away from drugs, tutor them and learn about sexually transmitted diseases.
Steele tells us at this point he doesn't know what his next move is going to be.
The one thing he knows is that there's too much at stake for this gym to shut down.
