Site Of Historic Detroit Boxing Gym Destroyed By Fire

DETROIT, MI — The old Kronk Gym, the boxing hub that was once home to some of the sports greatest, including Tommy Hearns and Lennox Lewis, was destroyed by fire on Saturday evening. Firefighters, according to media reports, continue to investigate the blaze of the abandoned building.

Boxer Hearns was among people who visited the burned out structure on Sunday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“It’s just sad to see that people didn’t value this place like we did," said Hearns, 58, the smell of charred debris still lingering in the air. "What this building brought for me was a chance at life. I got a chance to become somebody out of this building right here.

"To see it like this is pitiful — it’s really pitiful."

The center was built in 1921, but abandoned in 2006. The Kronk Gym moved to its current location on Mettetal Street.

The fire was reported at 9:25 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find the building at McGraw Avenue and Junction Street engulfed in flames. Deputy Fire Chief Dave Fornell told the Detroit News the department fought the blaze for four hours.

"After trying to battle the way up there, the chief evacuated the building. It was too dangerous to be inside," Fornell said. "We surrounded the building and then the roof collapsed."

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