Youth boxing coach pleads not guilty to raping students

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts youth boxing coach has pleaded not guilty to rape charges involving two of his students.

Robert Hersey entered his plea Monday to charges of rape, assault, showing pornography to minors and lewd and lascivious behavior in Springfield District Court.

Police arrested the 41-year-old Hersey last Friday at the Springfield gym he owns called Beast Elite.

Prosecutors say Hersey assaulted two 17-year-old boys in separate instances in June and September.

Hersey's attorney says his client unequivocally denies the allegations.

A judge set Hersey's bail at $5,000, despite a request by prosecutors for $50,000 bail. He was also ordered not to have unsupervised contact with children.