Latest news with #EmanuelSteward
CBS News
5 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Historic Kronk boxing gym makes long-awaited return to Detroit
A legendary boxing institution is making its return to Detroit. The Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center is home to some of the greats in boxing, including Mike Tyson and Joe Lewis, who trained there. It is now the new location for the legendary Kronk Gym. CBS Detroit "Detroit gave KRONK to the world, and now Kronk is giving back to the future of Detroit," said Kronk CEO Paul Bhatti. Founded by Detroit native Emanuel Steward, a boxing fighter and trainer, Kronk Gym is returning to the Motor City. "I think Kronk has a tremendous past, and I think this looks to the future and what champions we're going to inspire," said Kronk's first world boxing champion, Hilmer Kenty. CBS Detroit It's one of the most notable boxing gyms in history and a platform that will provide mentorship and opportunity. "For the youth, a sense of self, a sense of strength. It teaches skills not only in the ring but outside of the ring for them to just flourish," said International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Mary Jo Sanders. CBS Detroit Kronk is the training ground for 41 world champions and is committed to keeping the spirit of its founder, Steward, alive. "That's the main thing…it's not all about your backyard, there's a world out there," said Emanuel Steward's daughter, Sylvia Steward-Williams. "Kronk is not just a brand, it's a symbol of discipline, excellence and heart," said Bhatti. The gym plans to reopen this summer.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Famed Kronk boxing gym to reopen in Detroit rec center where Joe Louis once trained
DETROIT — The Kronk Gym where Detroit boxing royalty sweated on the road to glory is expected to reopen this summer in a building where Hall of Famer Joe Louis once trained. The Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center will be the gym's new home, city leaders and the team behind the project told reporters Wednesday. The room that housed the gym where Louis trained remains in the building's basement. But the center had become so dilapidated that it faced a wrecking ball about a decade ago, Mayor Mike Duggan said. Duggan said he was urged to pause the demolition order by some who wanted to preserve the building's history and its importance to the community. 'It was days away from being demolished,' he said. 'We ended the demolition contract and said 'let's see what we can do?' Can you imagine a more perfect use for this building than the Kronk gym? This is the city we're building, a city where we honor our history and we keep it alive.' The original Kronk was established in 1971 by trainer Emanuel Steward in a gym on Detroit's southwest side. Boxer Hilmer Kenty was Kronk's first professional champion, winning the WBA title. But Kronk rose to national prominence behind the punishing fists of Thomas 'Hitman' Hearns who pummeled the likes of José 'Pipino' Cuevas, Wilfred Benítez and Roberto Durán on the way to five titles and a career 61-5-1 record as a pro. World champions Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko later would train at Kronk. The original gym closed in 2006 and was long vacant by 2017 when the building was destroyed by fire. Steward later would rent space at a gym in nearby Dearborn so his young fighters could train. Steward died of colon cancer in 2012 at the age of 68. ___ AP boxing:
