I've always wanted to visit some of the historic hotels/resorts that heavyweight champs/contenders used as training camps back in the day, such as the Concord, Grossinger's, etc. but sadly there seem to be so few, if any of them left today. Are there any of these resorts still in operation today, or are they all gone? Also, any stories of heavyweights at these training camps are welcome and appreciated.
Duran and Foreman did some training at the former Playboy Club in NW NJ. This resort which at one time was top of the line was abandoned at some point and was until recently home of a group of 60 or more squatters and a huge flock of vultures (yes...vultures). It is now an unkept mess destined for tear down. Incredible as I remember going there in the early 70’s for Sunday brunch as well as visited their various clubs in the early 80’s. I’ve not visited in decades but it would be interesting if the area is still there where boxers would train. Deer Lake, Ali’s training camp is still there. One time abandoned was recently purchased and being renovated and preserved.
Deer Lake should be preserved and maybe turned into some kind of museum to honour Muhummad Ali. Boxing sometimes doesn't do a good job of honouring its past or its fighters and this would be a great opportunity to honour the boxer AND athlete of the 20th Century (sorry, Michael Jordan).
I have a customer very close to Deer Lake. I plan on visiting the camp next time I’m in the area. First time since 1975.
I grew up in Holland Michigan, a small scenic town on Lake Michigan 30/40 minutes from Grand Rapids. Rocky Marciano trained in Holland for his rematch with Jersey Joe Walcott. https://search.alexanderstreet.com/preview/work/bibliographic_entity|video_work|3216986 Funnily enough I have an awesome photograph signed by Rocky from that training camp. When I became obsessed with boxing in my teens, my dad's friend heard and got the signed photo from his brother who had it in storage, not really caring much about it. I don't know how the brother came to have it. Interestingly Frank Baum, the guy who wrote the Wizard of Oz, spent many of his summers vacationing in Holland, and the city was a major inspiration in writing that story. If anyone is looking for a place to visit during a mid-autumn weekend, let me recommend Holland. The city is dappled with magic that time of year (although it is more famous for its spring Tulip Time festival). The people are warm and friendly, the architecture beautiful, the arts scene lively, and with a large Hispanic and Southeast Asian population, the food options are varied and outstanding.
I've always wanted to go to Cape Cod where Hagler trained. And of course there is Big Bear. A lot of British boxers at moment seem to go to holiday islands for training camp for some reason.
Not a resort but the famous gym that Terry Lawless had above the Royal Oak pub in Canning Town . The pub is now a Turkish restaurant . The gym was the whole of one of the upper floors . Wonder if it's still there . Went there mid 80's.
Kell Brook went to Marbella for the nightlife and Joshua loves to go to Dubai for his warm weather training due to the excellent running and cycling facilities.
Asbury Park NJ was a main staple of training camps back in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Jeffries trained there among others. If we would have visited this town in the 1970s I am sure we would be able to find these locations as literally no renovations had been done to this then neglected city. (Actually rated as a ghost town at that time). Today it has been pretty much totally renovated and is once again a bustling beach town but lost it allot of history in process.
https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/9618 An historic British boxing venue near me has gone through a few changes in recent times. Terry Lawless and George Francis operated out of the Thomas O Beckett in London for many years
When Big Bear first became popular, that was not the case. Way back when, the main training facility was in the corner of a regular fitness gym. There was a ring, a heavy bag and a speed bag. Shane Mosley, the Ruelas brothers, Abel Sanchez, all used that gym. It all changed when Oscar De LaHoya built a place up there, which was later owned by Tito Ortiz.
The former site of the NYAC where Jeffries met Sharkey in 1900 is now the location of the NY Aquarium in Coney Island. I generally visit this area a few times a year to walk the boardwalk and grab a hot dog (or four) at Nathan’s. Years ago I brought a old photo of the NYAC with me and was able to visualize more or less where it stood which is what is now the Aquariums parking lot.