The Kronk Amateur Boxing Team will make its first official return to national competition in many years due, in part, to a sponsorship from Happy’s Pizza in Farmington Hills.
The sponsorship will help cover travel expenses for Kronk’s amateur boxing team, where 15 members ranging from 8-19 years old will compete at the King of the Jungle National Tournament, taking place Aug. 5-8 in Grand Rapids.
The four-day event will feature hundreds of amateur boxers from across the United States competing in three boxing rings with two daily competition sessions, providing young athletes the opportunity to test themselves against the nation’s best.
“Kronk has always represented far more than boxing,” says Happy Asker, founder and CEO of Happy Group and Happy’s Pizza. “It represents opportunity, discipline, family, and hope for young people who are willing to work hard.
“Supporting these athletes as they travel to compete on the national stage is an investment in their future, not just their performance in the ring. We’re honored to help continue a tradition that has changed countless lives and produced champions both inside and outside the ropes.”
The tournament marks another milestone in Kronk’s resurgence under its new leadership and reflects the organization’s commitment to rebuilding one of the most respected amateur boxing programs in America.
“Some of the most important moments in my boxing career happened because people believed in me enough to help me travel and compete against the best fighters in the country,” says James Lester Jr., head coach of the Kronk Amateur Boxing Team. “Those tournaments accelerated my development, built my confidence, and prepared me to compete at the highest level.
“Today, our responsibility is to give this next generation those same opportunities. Thanks to supporters like Happy Asker and Happy Pizza, our athletes will gain experiences in top-level competition, improve their development, increase Kronk’s national presence, and continue the gym’s championship legacy.”
Lester began training at Kronk in 1996 before becoming a three-time National Champion and earning the No. 2 ranking in the United States while pursuing a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.
“I know exactly what these young fighters are about to experience, because I lived it,” says Tarick Salmaci, a former world-class professional boxer and founder of The Tarick Salmaci Group and ARG Real Estate. “When people invested in Kronk athletes years ago, they weren’t just paying for a trip, they were opening doors that changed lives.
“Traveling, competing against the best, representing Detroit, and learning from those experiences helped shape who I became, both as a boxer and as a businessman.”
Founded by the legendary Emanuel Steward, Kronk produced dozens of world champions and became one of the most recognized names in the history of the sport, including Thomas Hearns, Milton McCrory, Hilmer Kenty, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko, and more.
Providing national competitive opportunities remains a cornerstone of developing future champions while reinforcing the values of discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and community that have defined Kronk for generations, according to the gym’s leadership.
“Happy Asker’s support ensures these young men and women have the chance to proudly represent Detroit and the Kronk name on one of the biggest amateur boxing stages in the country,” says Paul Bhatti, CEO of Kronk. “We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to our athletes and our mission.”
