October 19, 2010. He also holds the record for the most consecutive submission victories in the UFC with 11. MM: You know I was supposed to fight on the first Leonard-Hearns undercard. The bid was for the right to hold the IBF's junior welterweight title fight between Zab Judah of Brooklyn, NY and Las Vegas, and South Africa's Kaizer Mabuza. Serra retired in 2010 and now trains fighters with Ray Longo under the team name Serra/Longo Competition Team. Today its really different. He came to Kronk to train in 2009 and got what he expected, a collective examination from experienced fighters who wanted to see if he belonged. Produced by VFU, Virtual Fights Unlimited. SM: After several title defenses you ran into Donald Curry. Most felt he would eventually win it but Edgar not only took the title, he beat one of the best mixed martial artists in history to do it. I went from like 172 to 147 for the fight. They were six and nine at the time and I missed my kids, wanted to be around more. The gym was in use until 2006, when the city shut down the building after it was vandalized. Starving to make welterweight was real stupid. Naseem Prince Hamed current featherweight champ. Of a speed bag bouncing in rhythm from a muted distance. WebIt was located at 5555 McGraw Ave, in the bowels of the Motor Citys old Kronk Recreation Center, in the brick, closed confines far from the publics view. The roof was destroyed and the basement gym was heavily damaged. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. MM: Thanks Shawn, take care. The Klitschko brothers continue to SM: So what was the highlight of your amateur career? Tommy was the Hit Man, I was the Ice Man, said Milton Ice Man McCrory. Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. The 36-year-old compiled a 10-7 record in the UFC while earning Fight of the Night honors once and Knockout of the Night twice. Mark Hominick is one of the more recent retirements on this list. Whoever was at Kronk, thats the only place Ive helped out. The former interim UFC Heavyweight champion, Carwin has been rumored by some to have had the biggest hands in UFC history. SM: What about boxing, have you been involved in anyway over the years? We have new talent. MM: Duran and Pipino Cuevas turned me down. For the second straight year the sport could not deliver The Fight, the only one fans universally wanted and even casual fans craved the mix between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao. My first five fights were knockouts. This guy couldnt punch and I went down. Leben is a veteran of MMA and if an opponent is not ready for a rough and tumble fight, well, that fighter is not going to win. MM: I was about twelve years old. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Tito Ortiz is perhaps the most controversial and disliked fighter in MMA history. Emanuel took me and Tommy to a hand specialist in California in 1982. We were little kids and Jimmy told me he was boxing and I didnt believe him. And there's heavyweight Kolbeinn Kristinsson, from Iceland, who trains at Kronk, along with Aram Avagyan, a featherweight from Armenia, and Nikolai Potapov, from Russia. March 26, 2022 at the Inkster Recreational Complex, First published on February 2, 2022 / 4:10 PM. Some fighters currently trained by Serra are UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman, as well as TUF finalist Al Iaquinta. Three times promoter Bob Arum took the sport into massive stadium venues just like the good (very) old days and each time boxing drew a far larger crowd than its many critics expected. Were not going anywhere, were here to stay, Mitchell said. Please read the rules before posting/commenting. In 1983, Kronk fighter Milton McCrory won the WBC welterweight title vacated by Sugar Ray Leonard; Jimmy Paul beat Harry Arroyo for the International Boxing Fe Decades after its heyday during the 1980s and '90s, the name Kronk still carries a mystique in the boxing world. WebWith all of that talent, Arthur Bernard Mays died an alcoholic pauper in 1994 at the age of 33, his brilliant talents withered. I never wanted to fight a guy like Marlon Starling who held their hands up over their head. In this list, we'll look at the Top 15 Where are they now stories in MMA. The one night he appeared in a boxing ring, he set the years pay-per-view standard against Shane Mosley while also leaving a first hint of dark mystery when he was staggered by two stinging right hands in the second round. The Kronk Gym is an internationally, world famous gym, said CEO of Kronk Gym, Sylvia Steward-Williams. That is until he clashed with Edgar. The latter was not so much an upset as it was a stunning reminder that when someone makes a mistake against a highly skilled opponent in this sport they dont end up embarrassed. He is regarded as a fantastic coach, so we wouldnt be surprised to see him hang up the gloves for good and continue to coach the next generation of fighters. What have you been up to since you retired from the ring? Guys like Mayweather, Pacquiao, even Sugar Shane Mosley are too small. The world took notice. Gordeau hasnt participated in an MMA fight since 1995 and he now lives in the Netherlands, where he operates his own gym with his brothers called Dojo Kamakura. He has had some world famous guests at his gym, including the man who defeated him at UFC 1, Royce Gracie. Silva is a very tough customer and eager to crash the elite. We stand united. Edgar versus Maynard should be a good one.Other bouts: Nate Diaz (13-5) faces Dong Hyun Kim (13-0-1) in another welterweight tussle. And it was a boxing herald for over 30 years in the heart of Detroit City. Get the official KRONK gear, like this custom-made gym bag. Middleweight: Timur Kerefov (8-0, 4 KOs) vs. Calvin Metcalf (10-4-1, 3 KOs), eight rounds. The seven-bout card will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass, beginning at 7 p.m. This man is an absolute legend. What: Detroit Brawl At The Legendary Kronk. SM: What was your feeling on the draw in the first fight? Sad list. Click on the link below Click here to see all the exciting action! He was somewhat undersized as a Heavyweight, but more than made up for it with his skill and determination. About the fourth or fifth round I knew I was going to stop him soon. Only boxing officials, trainers, refereesand fighters will be allowed in the event, as COVID-19 protocol will be strictly enforced according to regulations set by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission and the state. He hit me with two left hooks and I went down. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. If Ward continues winning hell get to Bute soon enough because thats why SHOWTIME signed a TV deal with the Canadian and America may get its next boxing star if Ward proves to be what I think he is which is still underrated and underappreciated. By the end he had been made to look old and futile, a faded athlete whod had his chance and was unable to do anything with it. Back in April 2008, the artillery shelled out was not enough to beat the Las Vegas fighter. Salita had his last pro fight some six years ago before turning his attention to promotions, where he wants to build fighters for big events. HBO and HBO pay-per-view put on 23 shows, few of them compelling and many of them paying big money to the wrong people while doing little or nothing to grow the sport that has helped make their network rich. But its inside the gym where that respect is earned and given. 7 in the world and among Kronk's top contenders. I remember thinking earlier in the fight that the guy couldnt really punch. SM: What about the Mike McCallum fight? Kronk's Vladimir Shishkin of Detroit (10-0, 6 KOs), via Russia, will take on Oscar Riojas (21-13-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight main event. After several title defenses he ran into Donald Curry in 1985. 2. IBF Championships Chairman, Lindsay Tucker explained, It is a 50-50 split of the earnings between the two fighters. MM: Most of my early fights were knockouts. A "Save the Kronk" campaign aimed at keeping the facilities from closing due to budget shortfall was spearheaded by Emanuel Steward. I found out my nose was broke my first week of training in Arizona. At 14, Fikes was given the opportunity to train under the legendary Detroit boxer Emanuel Steward, where he became a member of the KRONK Boxing Team. Gordeau is famous for being a member of the first ever UFC card at UFC 1. MM: Yes, Im a fighter so I do quite a bit. WebToday KRONK is the combination of a legendary boxing tradition, a champion's mindset, KRONK-style training, and Emanuel Steward's belief in preparing youth for life inside and outside the boxing ring. It's where champions were groomed, tested, trained and, eventually, turned loose to contend for titles and glory. 10, according to the World Boxing Council, and others. He has matinee idol looks, a big enough punch to put Paul Williams to sleep with one shot and a work ethic second to none. Today KRONK is the combination of a legendary boxing tradition, a champion's mindset, KRONK-style training, and Emanuel Steward's belief in preparing youth for life inside and outside the boxing ring. Chambers was considered one of the bumper crop of up-and-coming young Kronk fighters, winning his first 16 fights, 11 by knockout, before losing to Bobby Joe I was bleeding early in that fight. GSP currently lives in Montreal and continues to train and assist at Tristar gym. Kronk boxing has had several homes, including the original gym at McGraw and Junction on Detroit's west side. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic is an absolute legend in MMA, known moreor his time in the mid 2000s with PRIDE. The history and accolades of Kronk are all around the gyms wall. After ending his career fighting in the USA with a few consecutive losses, Huerta then moved on to ONE Championship, which is the biggest MMA promotion in Asia. It was the palace in which kings were made. What are the main attributes of kronk fighters and what is theyre style when they box? He was a successful UFC fighter as well as a successful pro wrestler in the WWE. Thats why it was difficult for me against Jones. The campaign would ultimately work toward building a new Kronk. The door itself spoke to all Of toil and determination. Edgar showed poise, speed and grit in defeating Penn in back-to-back fights. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. UFC 125 will be televised on pay-per-view. You know, mentally, you know, physically I, you know, possess differently skills, increased you know, I think I boxed and got better, my Jiu-Jitsu got better and, you know, just have much more experience now, Edgar says. Hear. I remember not eating a real meal for three weeks back then just to make weight. WebKronk is the former secondary antagonist of Disney's 2000 animated feature film The Emperor's New Groove, and the titular main protagonist of 2005's Kronk's New Groove. Edgar (13-1) has emerged from the milieu of nondescript MMA fighters to become one of the more brilliant performers for Ultimate Fighting Championship. Since his retirement, Couture has begun to dabble in acting and has starred in the Expendables series, as well as appearing on Dancing with the Stars. You know, if I keep winning fights, the respect will come eventually, said Edgar during a conference call. Indeed, that was the trademark of Kronk hot and heavy sparring, demanding workouts and strenuous,physical training sessions. In the 1990s the Kronk stable included two-time WBA welterweight champion Mark Breland, top amateur prospect and future contender Tarick Salmaci, and repeat welterweight contender Oba Carr. Powered by IBofP 2021 Lastly, boxing gave us another magical cinematic moment as well with the release of The Fighter, a film based on the life and hard times of junior welterweight scrapper Micky Ward. I never dreamed boxing would turn out like it did for me. Sadly, there is no American on the horizon to challenge them, a comment on the division and on our country, where the athletes who used to be Joe Louis or Muhammad Ali now opt for the easier and frankly safer road of the NFL or the NBA. A Shocker in the Philippines as Suganob Topples Vicelles, The Only Option for Gilberto Ramrez is to Defeat Gabe Rosadoin Convincing Fashion, Ilunga Makabu Faces an Unexpected Rival in Badou Jack, The Hauser Report: A Club Fight Promoter Faces a Choice, Gennady Golovkin vs. Erislandy Lara: Return of the Battle of the Forties, Results from SoCal Where George Yuyu Acosta KOed Marlin Sims, Josh Taylor Assures Us His Fight With Tefimo Lpez Will End in a Knockout, Boxing Odds and Ends: An Auspicious ShoBox Debut and More. I was way ahead of my time. You know I would always whip Tommy pretty hard in sparring and thats why I think I would have beat Leonard. He would lose one last world title bout in 1987 against WBA World light middleweight champ Mike McCallum and retired in 1991. In refreshing contrast, the F-8 earned the sobriquet The Last of the Gunfighters (not to be confused with the 1984 sci-fi movie The Last Starfighter) as it was the final American fighter built with guns as its primary weapon. Hilmer Kenty, our first fighter, Thomas Hearns, Milton McCrory, Jimmy Paul, Duane, Steward-Williams said. Talk about anything boxing related here. In 1980, Kenty became Kronk's first world champion, Hearns following him months after. 15 15. He shot something in my hand and it worked. (Saturday Update: the fight is March 5th, in NJ at the Pru Center. Duane Thomas, another Kronk fighter, beat John Mugabi for the WBC light middleweight title in 1986. After Fury parted ways with former trainer Ben Davison in December 2019, Steward was Exclusive podcasts from our top journalists. MM: I wasnt 100% for that one either. Despite clashing with a Judah (39-6, 26 KOs) is promoted by Main Events and his own firm Super Judah Promotions, and Branco Milenkovic, of South Africa, promotes Mabuza (23-6-3, 14 KOs). It was located at 5555 McGraw Ave, in the bowels of the Motor Citys old Kronk Recreation Center, in the brick, closed confines far from the publics view. "I have a responsibility to do the best that I can with the potential I see," said Salita, who envisions big fights in Detroit facilities such as Little Caesars Arena and casinos in the future. Paul at The Kronk with Thomas Hearns and Emanuel Steward. "My Russian opponent is undefeated but he hasn't been in thetrenches with a true warrior," said Riojas, a 36-year-old fighter from Mexico. In September 2006, the original gym at 5555 McGraw Avenue between 33rd and Junction Streets in Detroit closed temporarily after thieves stole copper water pipes, cutting off supply to the building. Privacy Policy. ". It was named after a former city councilman, John F. Kronk. Newsletters on topics that interest you most. Taurrek Fikes, Boxing Coach at Dungeon Boxing, joins Jackie Paige on Community Connect to talk about his days training at KRONK Gym under Emanuel Steward and the kind of impact Steward had on his life. Fedor was the undisputed #1 pound for pound fighter during the mid-2000s while fighting in PRIDE. By. There, Huerta has seen a career revitalization and is among the top fighters at his weight class in the promotion. The film has won rave reviews and many awards and seems likely to have several of its actors nominated for Academy Awards, most notable Christian Bale for his sadly humorous portrayal of Wards troubled half brother, former fighter Dickie Ecklund. The door itself spoke to all those who would enter: Clay Guida (27-8) versus Takanori Gomi (32-6) in a lightweight bout. I sparred with guys at Kronk like Hearns, Hilmer Kenty and Caveman Lee. While both fights were, as expected, lopsided affairs, they showcased the one boxer who has transcended his sports confining walls to become a cultural icon and world celebrity. Its very important to have the gym in this day of age, because it allows the young people to come to a place of refuge, where they can come and feel safe. It was winter time and there was nothing else to do so me and my brother Stevie decided to go check them out and see if they were lying. A new host of fighters who would later become world champions arrived there, including Gerald McClellan. As always there were some surprising upsets, most notably Jason Litzaus domination of an uninterested and out of shape Celestino Caballero and Sergio Martinezs one-punch demolishment of Paul Williams. My whole thing was to knock everybody out. News, analysis and scores on Detroit and Michigan sports teams. Each year, Fikes brings his Atlanta team up to Detroit for an Atlanta vs. Detroit fight night. It was really my kids. Milton McCrory, a former WBC welterweight champion, fought out of the legendary Kronk boxing gym in Detroit. In the past few years, the Detroit gym relocated to a new facility in a storefront on West Warren Avenue. We said ok, went down to the gym and never stopped boxing. After the Robert Curry fight in 1991 I hung it up. He came up in the original KRONK Gym as part of the original ESCOT (Emanuel Steward Champions of It was neither the best of times nor the worst of times. He had more experience than me. You know I won an amateur world championship, a professional world championship and I had reached all my goals. Nowadays, Gracie is still involved with the MMA scene andis now the official brand ambassador for Bellator. In 1983, Kronk fighter Milton McCrory won the WBC welterweight title vacated by Sugar Ray Leonard; Jimmy Paul beat Harry Arroyo for the International Boxing Federation's world lightweight title in 1985.