Amateur Boxing Saturday, September 21st at Gleason's Gym

Join us on Saturday evening the 21st of September and enjoy the excitement of amateur boxing at the grass roots level.

We have a lot of bouts scheduled. We will have Juniors , Seniors, both men and women and Masters.

The weigh in for this show will begin at 4:00PM and the first bout will begin at 6:00PM.

All our bouts are sanctioned by USABoxingMetro. All boxers must have their boxing book with them in order to participate.

To compete on the card: If you want to compete on this fight card, email our matchmaker at matchmaker@gleasonsgym.net. We now do all our matchmaking by email.

The ticket price is $20 per person. Children 6 and under are not charged. All gym members and registered amateurs with their books in hand pay $15 per person.

Join our new training facility at the fabulous Mercedes Club

and get the special Gleason's Gym discount.

Only $99 per month membership.

Rocky Marciano

 

 

   

 

Rocky Marciano Statue Dedicated in Brockton, Massachusetts

By: Tony Penecale

"The Brockton Blockbuster" Rocky Marciano has come home to Brockton.  In front of an enthusiastic audience at the appropriately-named Rocky Marciano Stadium, a statue was dedicated on the 60th anniversary of Marciano's title-winning bout against Jersey Joe Walcott.  The statue was breathtaking, a massive 22 feet tall, depicting Rocky throwing his famous "Suzie-Q" right hand--the very punch he used to wrest the title from Walcott. 

The event drew a number of boxing dignitaries, who joined Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti and members of the Marciano family for the dedication.  Guests included WBC President Jose Sulaiman (who was instrumental in getting this project funded), promoters Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and Don King, legendary trainer and Rocky's close friend Lou Duva, and a plethora of world champions and contenders such as Tony Demarco, John Ruiz, John Scully, Micky Ward, Vito Antuofermo, Vinny Paz, and Larry Holmes.

The ceremony, only scheduled to last approximately one hour, stretched over two hours long with the crowd sometimes groaning at the continued delays.  There was a real anticipation to see the bronze beauty unveiled, and the speakers were asked to keep their addresses to only one or two minutes. That was nearly impossible when the loquacious Don King took the microphone.  King mentioned how Rocky never discriminated and no matter their skin color, he would knock them out all the same.  He also mentioned Rocky's incredible spirit, citing his second bout with Ezzard Charles.  In their first meeting, Rocky was unable to floor the former champion, winning by a very close decision.  Charles was offered a rematch and during the course of the action, he split Rocky's nose in half.  As the referee was preparing to stop the fight and award Charles the victory, Rocky asked for one more round.  In that one round, Rocky saved his title by knocking Charles out.

If someone said back in 1985 that Larry Holmes would be giving a speech in Brockton, there's no doubt he would have needed an army of armed guards.  Holmes, who at one time was Public Enemy #1 in Brockton for suggesting Marciano couldn't carry his jock strap, proved that time does indeed heal all wounds and that forgiveness is a very real and powerful thing.  He was greeted warmly and responded with a humorous and charismatic speech that had the crowded alternating between laughter and cheers.  Afterwards he followed through with his promise to meet many of the people at a public reception and continued entertaining with his singing. 

Jose Sulaiman, President of the WBC, who was instrumental in getting the funding for this project, talked about how the weather cooperated perfectly.  Rainstorms soaked the east coast the previous day, as Sulaiman noted it was simply God cleansing the ground for the ceremony.  With the grounds cleansed, he spoke of the beautiful autumn day God gave for the event: a bright blue and cloudless sky framing the scene for history. 

Perhaps the most poignant speech came from Rocky's youngest brother, Peter Marciano, who was 11 years old when his famous older brother won the title.  He spoke of sitting ringside at the Walcott fight and the moment it was over, how Rocky's close friend and confidant Allie Colombo entered the ring to embrace the new champion.  He said during the embrace they each whispered something to each other and he always wanted to know what was said.  He finally came to the conclusion that these two local Brockton kids simply said "We did it".

It was a humbling experience to be there in person.  I always tell the story how my grandfather, the original Tony Penecale, and my great uncle Ed Grasso Sr, sat me down at a young age to tell me the story of the great Rocky Marciano.  I was about 6 at the time and since Rocky III had just been released, I got confused and mentioned how he just beat Clubber Lang.  I was smacked in the back of the head and told that I "watch too much of that movie bulls**t".  They told me how great Rocky was and that nobody ever beat him.  Both of these man sadly passed away only about a year or two after their lecture, and even though they have both been gone for nearly 30 years, don't ever expect me to say that anybody could beat Rocky. Not Ali, not Tyson, not King Kong, not even Jesus himself.  They both may be gone now, but I have a feeling they would send down a few smacks to the head if I ever said otherwise.

 Uncle Eddie had attended the fight in Philadelphia, September 23 1952 when Rocky knocked out Jersey Joe Walcott to win the heavyweight championship.  He spoke about it reverently and always said the knockout punch sounded like a shotgun blast went off in the arena.  Years later, I was boxing at a card at SUNY-Westchester in Valhalla, New York.  My father was there along with Uncle Eddie's son, Ed Jr (Uncle Duke).  Uncle Duke brought with him one of his late father's most prized possessions, the original program and ticket stub from that famous fight in Philadelphia, and presented it to me after my bout.  He also gave me newspaper clippings that his father kept from Marciano's title defenses against Walcott and Ezzard Charles.  These items have been framed and currently hang in my basement gym.  

One of my favorite jokes is when I show the program to anybody who comes into my gym, I mention that I was there in person.  When they respond with a doubting or quizzical look, I just state that "I aged very well".

My grandfather and great uncle may be gone physically but I could feel their spirit with me on Sunday.  It was a good feeling, especially for a kid growing up who "watched too much of that movie bulls**t".

Upcoming Events At Gleason's Gym

GLEASON'S GYM IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF KNOCKOUT OBESITY! WATCH THE SERIES ON YOUTUBE! 

Gleason's Gym is a proud supporter of Knockout Obesity, an anti-obesity campaign that unites five New Yorkers in the fight against obesity, and documents their progress with an online web series. Founder Dimitrios Verteouris, a Brooklyn Chef who was told he would not live past the age of 35 if he did not shed the weight, lost 85lbs in 3 months via boxing, as featured on Food Network's "Fat Chef." Six days a week, the "KO Club" trains at Gleason's Gym under the tutelage of Dimitrios. Knockout Obesity is community partners with the American Diabetes Association.  

  Visit www.KOobesity.com <http://www.KOobesity.com>  to meet the five New Yorkers and our team of experts!
Watch the action on YouTube! Check out Episodes 1 through 3 here! http://www.youtube.com/user/koobesity/ 
 

"Like" Knockout Obesity on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/koobesity 
 

Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/KOobesityNYC 
 

Want to take part in the Knockout Obesity program? Email your story or idea to info@KOobesity.com 

September 23, 2012

The World Boxing Council, in conjunction with the city if Brockton, Mass. Will unveil a 30 foot sculpture as a posthumous homage to one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time, the legendary Rocky Marciano, who was born in Brockton.

All boxing fans are welcome to attend this historic event. It will be wonderful to have a huge crowd to honor the memory of the great Rocky Marciano.

September 28-30, 2012

DUMBO Arts Festival 2012

All artists can show their work at our boxing/art gallery. There is no charge and you keep 100% of what you sell.

September 29, 2012

Sonya Lamonakis

Sonya 6-0-2(1) will be on the card in a 6 round contest

WATCH LIVE BOXING AND SUPPORT OUR Gleason's Fighter

AT THE MGM GRANDE AT FOXWOODS

Tickets are: $45, $75, $100, $200.

Paypal accepted email address is: slamonakis@yahoo.com  *leave your mailing address to send tickets. 
Mail a check to: Sonya Lamonakis
PO Box 1293 
New York, NY 10026
send your address and Sonya will mail you the tickets.      

October 6, 2012

Johnny Rodz Professional Wrestling Show

At Gleason's Gym

7:00PM

October 13, 2012

Metropolitan Championships

Gleason's Gym

6:00PM

$20.00 admission

November 3, 2012

Metropolitan Championships

At Gleason's Gym

6:00 PM start

$20.00 admission

November 16-17-18, 2012

New York Junior Olympic Tournament

Gleason's Gym

6:00 PM start

$20.00

November 24, 2012

Johnny Rodz Professional Wrestling Show

At Gleason's Gym

7:00PM

December 15, 2012

At Monthly Amateur Boxing Series

Gleason's Gym

6:00PM

$20.00 admission

December 29, 2012

Johnny Rodz Professional Wrestling Show

At Gleason's Gym

7:00PM

February 14, 15 & 16, 2013

Masters Clinic and amateur boxing show

March 16, 2012

Strike Concert

Classical Music and Boxing

To benefit Give A Kid A Dream

Gleason's Gym

7:00PM

$25.00 donation

April 6 & 7, 2013

"THE GREATEST!  Hip Homage to Muhammad Ali" performed by the Peggy Choy Dance Company with boxers from Gleason's Gym.

At Gleason's Gym

April 6 - 8:00PM

April 7 - 4:00PM & 8:00PM

April 18, 19 & 20, 2013

All Female Clinic and amateur boxing show

June 6, 7, & 8, 2013

Third Annual Master's National Championships

Honoring Rocky Marciano & Upcoming Events At Gleason's Gym

September 6-8, 2012 Personal Trainers Clinic At Gleason's Gym Cost $349.00. September 15, 2012 Monthly Amateur Boxing Series At Gleason's Gym 6:00PM $20.00 admission September 23, 2012 The World Boxing Council, in conjunction with the city if Brockton, Mass. Will unveil a 30 foot sculpture as a posthumous homage to one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time, the legendary Rocky Marciano, who was born in Brockton. All boxing fans are welcome to attend this historic event. It will be wonderful to have a huge crowd to honor the memory of the great Rocky Marciano. September 28-30, 2012 DUMBO Arts Festival 2012 All artists can show their work at our boxing/art gallery. There is no charge and you keep 100% of what you sell. September 29, 2012 Sonya Lamonakis Sonya 6-0-2(1) will be on the card in a 6 round contest WATCH LIVE BOXING AND SUPPORT OUR Gleason's Fighter AT THE MGM GRANDE AT FOXWOODS Tickets are: $45, $75, $100, $200. Paypal accepted email address is: slamonakis@yahoo.com  *leave your mailing address to send tickets.  Mail a check to: Sonya Lamonakis PO Box 1293  New York, NY 10026 send your address and Sonya will mail you the tickets.   October 6, 2012 Johnny Rodz Professional Wrestling Show At Gleason's Gym 7:00PM October 13, 2012 Metropolitan Championships Gleason's Gym 6:00PM $20.00 admission November 3, 2012 Metropolitan Championships At Gleason's Gym 6:00 PM start $20.00 admission November 16-17-18, 2012 New York Junior Olympic Tournament Gleason's Gym 6:00 PM start $20.00 November 24, 2012 Johnny Rodz Professional Wrestling Show At Gleason's Gym 7:00PM November 29, 2012 International Boxing Film Festival Opening Party Gleason's Gym 7:00PM November 30- December 1, 2012 International Boxing Film Festival At the SVA Theatre at333 West 23rd Street in New York City For more info go to: www.internationalboxingfilmfestival.com December 15, 2012 At Monthly Amateur Boxing Series Gleason's Gym 6:00PM $20.00 admission December 29, 2012 Johnny Rodz Professional Wrestling Show At Gleason's Gym 7:00PM April 6 & 7, 2013 "THE GREATEST!  Hip Homage to Muhammad Ali" performed by the Peggy Choy Dance Company with boxers from Gleason's Gym. At Gleason's Gym April 6 - 8:00PM April 7 - 4:00PM & 8:00PM