Kronk Gym, the boxing factory that produced legends like Thomas Hearns, Hilmer Kenty, Milton McCrory, and other ring greats, has been resurrected at the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, 670 Wilkins St. in Detroit.
The late Emanuel Steward, founder of Kronk Gym, started his boxing career at the Brewster Center before moving on to train Olympic medalists and world champions Hearns, Kenty, Lennox Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya, Wladimir Klitschko, and more.
The gym has begun welcoming new members and is offering expanded training programs while introducing Kronk merchandise.
“Like thousands of other kids, Emanuel Steward was like a father figure to me,” says John Lepak, COO of Kronk. “Opening these doors again is a tremendous honor and responsibility. Kronk is more than a gym, it’s a community.”
The 3,500-square-foot space features high-performance training areas set up specifically to cater for all levels of boxing training. Kronk’s training staff is expected to focus on developing elite-level talent at both the amateur and professional levels of the sport.
Kronk CEO Paul Bhatti says, “This is not just the return of a gym, it’s the return of a Detroit franchise. Kronk will once again be a home for opportunity, mentorship, and champions.”
The Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, according to officials, was selected as Kronk’s new home due to its strong history. During its early years in the 1930s and 1940s, the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center was the training site for some of the world’s greatest boxing champions, most notably Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Eddie Futch.
Steward’s daughter, Sylvia Steward-Williams, says, “Kronk shaped boxing around the world, and my father dedicated his life to Detroit. We are proud to see this legacy enter a new era with this amazing team leading the way.”
The new ownership group says it’s committed to ensuring that Kronk remains true to its roots by involving many of its former world champions and fighters that trained under Steward while fostering a deep connection with the Detroit community just as Steward always intended.
In addition to training future champions, Kronk officials say they will be “very active” in several community programs, youth mentorship initiatives, and training opportunities for the youth of metro Detroit.
Kronk offers memberships, training classes, boxer management, a merchandise line, and more.
Membership packages include:
- Youth and amateur boxing
- Adult fitness and boxing training
- Elite amateur and professional training programs
- Family membership options
The facility has announced a schedule of classes designed for all levels, including:
- Beginner and Intermediate Boxing
- Youth Development Boxing (ages 8–17)
- Women’s Boxing and Fitness
- Strength and Conditioning for Fighters
- High-Performance Elite Amateur Training
- Professional Boxer Development Sessions
Training and class leaders include champion Mary Jo Sanders and other Kronk world champions and alumni.
Kronk also has added its first two professional fighters under its Boxer Management program. They are undefeated Hunter Lee and Golden Gloves Champion William Myhre.
For more information, and to check out Kronk’s available merchandise, visit kronk.com.
