Boxings greatest era was awash in the Kronk colors of gold and red. I fought a lot of guys in the amateurs that were a lot older and experienced. After my third fight my trainer, Walter Smith, said, You have been knocking them out. Hilmer Kenty, our first fighter, Thomas Hearns, Milton McCrory, Jimmy Paul, Duane, Steward-Williams said. Kathy Duva confirmed the fight will take place at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, late February or early March this year as part of Main Events' Brick City Boxing Series. 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. I was way ahead of my time. That is what boxing needs more of fresh faces and new stars so as fans we should root for guys like Alvarez, Ward, Rios and young Brit Amir Khan, who is a star in England but still a question mark with a questionable chin but a fighters heart here in the U.S. Those guys and others not yet as well known are the future of boxing, a sport that for too long has been recycling the likes of Mosley (as it will again in May for one last beating against Pacquiao in a fight that's a joke), Bernard Hopkins (who can still fight although it is unclear why he bothers or where its all headed), Roy Jones and, sadly, even 48-year-old Evander Holyfield, who continues to delude himself but not many other people into believing he will soon unify the heavyweight title again.If fighters like Ward, Alvarez, Rios, Khan, WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto and middleweight king Sergio Martinez continue their rise they could be the antidote for the art of the retread that Arum and Golden Boy have been forcing fans to buy the past few years at the expense of what boxing needs most fresh faces. MM: To be honest I thought I won the first fight, that I should have got the decision. IBF Championships Chairman, Lindsay Tucker explained, It is a 50-50 split of the earnings between the two fighters. Cookie Notice This is a place for friendly and civil debate about the greatest sport on earth. But no pro card had ever been hosted at a Kronk gym. I look back now and realize I made the right choice to turn pro so early. He was a successful UFC fighter as well as a successful pro wrestler in the WWE. I just wasnt what I used to be. Heavyweight Apti Davtaev, 31, from Russia, is a big man (6-foot-7, 250 pounds) with a big punch, according to Salita. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. It was named after a former city councilman, John F. Kronk. 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. If you look at the kronk fighters from Lewis, adonis Stevenson to Tommy hearns and now fury they all had solid 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 Super middleweight: Vladimir Shishkin (10-0, 6 KOs) vs. Oscar Riojas (21-13-1, 10 KOs), 10 rounds. 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. All it took was not one, but two victories over BJ Penn. MM: In 1987 I fought Herman Cavasuela, defending my NABF title. I think that was a sign from God. 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 The man was never invovled in a boring fight and was famous for his overhand right that put many men to sleep. MM: Because of his style. The Foo Fighters have added three headlining shows to their 2023 live itinerary as they prepare to return to the stage following the sudden death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last year. No one has to be singled out for blame for that failure because this time theres plenty to go around on both sides. 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). Mark Hominick is one of the more recent retirements on this list. 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. By the time Ebersole joined the UFC, he was already a veteran of more than 60 pro MMA fights. The fighters that emerged under the tutelage of the great Emanuel Steward are forever synonymous with the no-frills gym from which they hailed. 2. He shot something in my hand and it worked. Talk about anything boxing related here. I went from like 172 to 147 for the fight. The name is respected around the city of Detroit, especially on Detroits west side. Im watching football right now. 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. SM: What about boxing, have you been involved in anyway over the years? The bout ended in a draw and McCrory would win the rematch five months later. If you had fans select their favorite fighter in UFC history, its very likely that you'd see Liddell at the top of the list. Kronk kept producing champions into the 1990s before the focus of the sport began changing, with the prominence of American fighters waning. Why was he so difficult? Between his epic battles with Ken Shamrock and Chuck Liddell, Ortiz was almost always in the spotlight throughout his MMA career. Styles make fights. After being named Kronk Recreation Center's head boxing coach, Emanuel's team would go on to produce 41 World Champion fighters throughout his career. "I've known Emanuel since I was a kid," said Salita, who was born in Russia. The Kronk Gym is an internationally, world famous gym, said CEO of Kronk Gym, Sylvia Steward-Williams. Be respectful and come chat with us. Making the weight just killed me. Decades after its heyday during the 1980s and '90s, the name Kronk still carries a mystique in the boxing world. 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. Mayweather was momentarily in trouble for the first time in his career but the moment passed quickly and Mosley never had another. He was also famous for his aggression and throwing everything into each punch. As history has proven time and again, that is what happens when boxing has a compelling personality to sell it and Pacquiao is that. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper. Theres so much history here, that you just dont want to see this thing forgotten," Wayne mayor John Rhaesa said. Liddell was an absolute machine in the octagon. It reopened in 2015. I The history, legacy, and former boxers are definitely part of Kronk Gym, but Rhonda Mitchell said the future of the gym is even better. Filmed at KRONK Gym and now in production the new documentary "Thomas 'Hit-Man' Hearns." "All the guys wanted to test me out," he said. 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. News, analysis and scores on Detroit and Michigan sports teams. 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. and our It was really my kids. Gordeau is famous for being a member of the first ever UFC card at UFC 1. It involves athletes from across the world. Every time you see a Kronk fighter, you can expect to see something special. SM: You had two tough fights with Colin Jones. On October 7, 2017, the original Kronk Gym went up in flames in a suspicious fire. SM: You keep up on boxing today? Randy Couture is perhaps best known for his unbelievable trilogy with Chuck Liddell, as well as being one of the oldest combatants in UFC history. WebThis has led to a lot of his fighters being great technicians with by the book technique and the ability to carry it through to the later rounds with a clear mind. Emanuel told Leonard later that he knew Milton would have beat him. But its inside the gym where that respect is earned and given. Must have been written many years ago, Lennox Lewis is most certainly not the Heavyweight champion, though give him a weeks worth of training and he could beat any of the fools who are. Here, in his own words, is Paul Dubs recollections of a truly legendary gym which, sadly, is no more. It was neither the best of times nor the worst of times. Steward, who built Kronk into a boxing powerhouse and put Detroit on the map as a boxing mecca, was involved in a number of professional and amateur boxing shows in the metroarea beginning in the late 1970s. 1 by the IBF, and Judah is No. Foo Fighters, the Killers to Hit the Beach for 2023 Sea. This will be the first time Kronk has hosted a pro fight card, according to Salita. With a majority of these past heroes of the cage long retired now that it is 2015, have you ever found yourself wondering what some of your favorite fighters have been up to these past couple of years? 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. The campaign would ultimately work toward building a new Kronk. MM: Randy Shields, and then Pete Ranzany. His brother James would go on to win Detroit's Golden Gloves Tournament, putting Emanuel on the map as a coach that others wanted to train with. He also holds the record for the most consecutive submission victories in the UFC with 11. The Kronk "franchise" began to sell Kronk merchandise through catalog sales. We were little kids and Jimmy told me he was boxing and I didnt believe him. Congratulations on your induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. They were six and nine at the time and I missed my kids, wanted to be around more. Golf without the Masters? He did suffer a defeat to Nate Diaz during The Ultimate Fighter series and subsequently avenged that loss last January. SHOWTIME did all it could to further the future of the sport, offering up a continuation of its interminably long but still bold Super Six super middleweight tournament as well as the launching of a short form bantamweight tournament which already gave fans to two stirring and surprising finishes with Joseph Agbeko decisioning Jhonny Perez and Abner Mares upsetting Victor Darchinyan in a battle of contusions. Couture was 47 years old when he finally retired from the sport. Now Festival. Everything back then was Sugar Ray this and Sugar Ray that. Please read the rules before posting/commenting. WebCareer Kronk Gym. MM: Not really. 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. 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. I really didnt want to stick around for the 1984 Olympics so I turned pro at eighteen. Archived post. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Read on and enjoy! What would the NFL be without the Super Bowl? The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. There are some big names with ties to Kronk Gym. 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. SM: When did your troubles with your right hand start? What: Detroit Brawl At The Legendary Kronk. After several title defenses he ran into Donald Curry in 1985. Alvarez is already a star in Mexico without having yet won a world title and Rios is the definition of promise. Whether the star will continue to shine and promise will be fulfilled may be answered next year and so we wait anxiously to find out. He has worked with trainer Sugar Hill Steward, trainer for world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, along with several media outlets, to help make that a reality. 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. Serra retired in 2010 and now trains fighters with Ray Longo under the team name Serra/Longo Competition Team. MM: Most of my early fights were knockouts. It's where champions were groomed, tested, trained and, eventually, turned loose to contend for titles and glory. "All the guys All in all, it wasnt the best of years for boxing but it was a good year that picked up speed in the final months and, like that great golf shot you finally hit out of the rough on the 18th, left us with reasons to hope for a better year in 2011. Through ESCOT (Emanuel Steward Champions of Tomorrow), originally started in the 1970s and now reborn as KRONK's official youth development program, kids across Metro Detroit can become champions in life. He trained 41 World Champion fighters throughout his career at Kronk Gym. There are some big names with ties to Kronk Gym. Unlimited access to subscriber only articles on desktop, tablet and mobile web. Twenty five knockouts. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 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. The gym was in use until 2006, when the city shut down the building after it was vandalized. 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. Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar to Headline Bonnaroo 2023 I guess really Im an athlete. Im pumped for it.. Just wondering what makes them so good is it the training by both great trainers or a certain style they impose. Steward worked at his uncle's Kronk Gym, where he first met Tyson Fury in 2010.After Emanuel Steward died in 2012, SugarHill worked with some of his uncle's former fighters, including Adonis Stevenson, Anthony Dirrell and Charles Martin.. Tyson Fury. 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. There was even a saying forit: Right leg: hospital, Left leg: cemetery. Cro Cop is actually still actively fighting and has had a career revitalization in the last year, to the point that he is actually returning to the UFC for the first time since 2011 to headline a fight card in Poland. The training facility opened shortly after World War I (~1920) and closed in 2006. He also featured in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Former Boxing Champion Milton McCrory started boxing and training at Kronk Gym in 1975. Each year, Fikes brings his Atlanta team up to Detroit for an Atlanta vs. Detroit fight night. Duane Thomas, another Kronk fighter, beat John Mugabi for the WBC light middleweight title in 1986. Stann dropped down from light heavyweight and well see if the cut in weight benefits the Marine. Edgar showed poise, speed and grit in defeating Penn in back-to-back fights. Her father was a well known American boxer, trainer and commentator for HBO Boxing. This guy couldnt punch and I went down. Riojas has already called out Shishskin. WebProbably the most experienced Kronk fighter is the 17-year-old Hearns, who's won 79 of 84 fights and is currently ranked third in the nation at 132 pounds. Until he met New Jerseys Edgar, the Hawaiian fighter chopped down lightweight opponents with ease. I was told as an amateur that I was just being used for a sparring partner and wouldnt go anywhere. SM: After the McCallum fight you fought only six times in the next four years. They turned out to be incredibly wrong. Namely: Canadas Georges St. Pierre. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Detroit's Kronk Gym was a cradle of boxing champions", "World Famous Kronk Gym Destroyed in Suspicious Fire; Motor City Muckraker", "FOX 2 Detroit News, Weather, Sports | WJBK", Inside the abandoned Kronk Gym at Detroiturbex.com, Detroit's Legendary Kronk Gym: Down for the Count, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kronk_Gym&oldid=1113642109, Articles needing additional references from December 2007, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 2 October 2022, at 14:37. The reason bring that he is the current head coach at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, which is a very successful MMA gym. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Tank Abbott had a very fan friendly style that can be described asbar room brawling. He also had abody that made him one of the most relatable fighters in the world. 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. Click here to get all the info you need; location, hours, costs, training schedules, amateur info, professional info, private training camps and more. The facility has boxing rings, heavy bags, speed bags and all the trappings of a typical boxing gym. They are two of the sports brightest young prospects because each comes to the arena the old-fashioned way carrying nothing but bad intentions.Aggression and knockouts still sell boxing faster than anything else and each exhibited plenty of both this year and left fans wanting to see more. WebKronk is the former secondary antagonist and an anti-villain in the Disney film The Emperor's New Groove and it's television series The Emperor's New School. About the fourth or fifth round I knew I was going to stop him soon. MM: I wasnt 100% for that one either. Whoever was at Kronk, thats the only place Ive helped out. Hilmer Kenty, our first fighter, Thomas Hearns, Milton McCrory, Jimmy Paul, Duane, Steward-Williams said. WebWith all of that talent, Arthur Bernard Mays died an alcoholic pauper in 1994 at the age of 33, his brilliant talents withered. Not only is it THE place to be after school, but it's also the place where kids get a start at becoming champions in life. Specifically, those guns were four Colt Mk 12 20mm cannons, backed up by four AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking Emanuel took me and Tommy to a hand specialist in California in 1982. Twice those fights involved the sports leading ambassador, Pacquiao, who brought in crowds of 40,000 to 50,000 fans into Cowboys Stadium against inferior opponents Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito. For more information, please see our SM: As a pro who was your first real test? That name is still strong today because there are still champions coming from all over the world, right now," Carey said. Privacy Policy. Nowadays, Gracie is still involved with the MMA scene andis now the official brand ambassador for Bellator. ET Saturday on Huerta was a former mainstay in the UFCs Lightweight division form 2006-09 and has been in the cage with some of the best fighters at his weight class. So it goes in this harsh sport when the sands are running out of the hour glass. Starving to make welterweight was real stupid. 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 MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The Modesto fighter has a tough fight against South Koreas Kim. What most people dont know is that the biggest MMA organization in the world, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championshp), has actually been around for over 20 years, so the sport does have a fairly extensive history. The seven-bout card will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass, beginning at 7 p.m. Backed by Golden Boy Promotions, there is no reason 2011 shouldnt be Alvarezs year and if it is people will notice and remember him because he has a crowd-pleasing style that is all about what sells most. The name itself carries the aura. He was somewhat undersized as a Heavyweight, but more than made up for it with his skill and determination. Where the boxing discussion is always Non Stop! Get in on the latest boxing conversations in our Forum and comment on articles. I found out my nose was broke my first week of training in Arizona. It's the same bag used by Emanuel Steward and all the champions. SM: So how did it all start for you, boxing? 5. Hear. This man is an absolute legend. 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. MM: Not really. MM: Well I worked for Chrysler for about fifteen years. Welcome to r/boxing, the official home of pro boxing on Reddit! I remember thinking earlier in the fight that the guy couldnt really punch. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Title Boxing Presents: KRONK vs. Everybody. I never dreamed boxing would turn out like it did for me. SM: Milton last question, where did your nickname Iceman come from? Carwin retired from the sport in 2013 due to a variety of injuries. Gomi lost to Kenny Florian but knocked out Tyson Griffin. 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. I just didnt know how good a fighter he really was. 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. I just retired last year. A lot of people come into the Kronk gym saying they're going to be the next champ." He is still seen by many as the best Heavyweight of all time. If youre not familiar with Penn, hes one of the most versatile fighters in MMA history and had been nearly unbeatable in the 155-pound lightweight division. Paul at The Kronk with Thomas Hearns and Emanuel Steward. Totowa, NJ Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO, announced their promotional firm won the purse bid held at IBF headquarters in East Orange, NJ, Thursday. Found this while looking up info on Milton McCrory Nice to see Beard as a trainer and McCrory at Chrsyler Corp. McCrory should've had a better career, but the Curry loss did him in. Duane Thomas said the same thing. Of toil and determination. No one has an easy time with the long-haired fighter. But they did have the knockout of the year Martinezs second round destruction of Williams and some fights in the lower weight classes that were left you wanting more. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. It is still a relatively new sport, but has caught on like wild fire within the past couple of years. MM: Duran and Pipino Cuevas turned me down. I took the fight because I really thought I could beat Mike, even on short notice. He is also the first ever victor of a UFC fight, as his fight was first on that fateful night. Can he survive Guida? Emanuel Steward captained the collage of world-champion boxers and those who strived to reach the top during nearly 40 years of stewardship. They would all be less than they could be and so it was with boxing this year. After seeing fury give sugar hill a lot of praise throughout the last couple of fights Ive looked at the gym and seen the talent theyve had. Brian Ebersole. In 1998 Kronk opened Kronk Gym website, promoting the gyms and their fighters. I had about two weeks notice. You know I would always whip Tommy pretty hard in sparring and thats why I think I would have beat Leonard. 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. 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. Gold for the titles theyd win. DETROIT The city of Detroit is known for the car industry and even the Motown sound, but thats not all. What are the main attributes of kronk fighters and what is theyre style when they box? Why so few? Were you 100% for that one? It was the return of the KRONK GOLD TRUNKS as the team went 7-0 winning the WBC championship medals. The history and accolades of Kronk are all around the gyms wall. SM: Whats in the future for you Milton? Of grunts, of groans from some of the amateurs growing up, and also some of the greatest boxers who ever lived. I remember not eating a real meal for three weeks back then just to make weight. This man is without a doubt one of the lesser known fighters on this list, but has a very interesting story. Steward accused Smith, the high-flying 1970s promoter who served 5 1/2 years in federal prison for embezzling $21.3 million from Wells Fargo Bank, of talking Hearns into leaving Kronk. October 19, 2010. The roof was destroyed and the basement gym was heavily damaged. The bright red and yellow colors spell out the name Kronk Gym on the doors outside the boxing gym. The heavyweight division, which many believe determines the relevancy of boxing to the larger world, remains a vast desert of disinterest here in the US. It was just too much time spent on The Fight That Never Took Place. "I work with (Kronk trainer and Emanuel's nephew) Sugar Hill (Steward) and we're talking about: 'That's what we want to bring back:quality, high-level fights.' It was just a different era; its just hard to compare us to todays guys. After a few minutes he told me Man you have really been icing those guys lately. Where the fight will be held is up to the winning bidder.. A victory by either fighter could mean a ticket to the big time. Well see on January 1.. February 2, 2022 / 4:10 PM Another 35 fighters came to Kronk from the suburbs, other states and other countries to be trained by Steward, and left. 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. We have new technology. [6], The new facility opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2015 at 9520 Mettetal St.[7], On August 20, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions on sports events, the gym hosted its first ever professional boxing event, a long-time dream held by Steward. r/boxing does not tolerate racism or intolerance of any kind. WebKronk style is affective aggression behind good fundamentals. He was just 13 years old. I got up, came back and won the fight. Kronk also has taken on more of an international appearance withShishkin, ranked No. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. None is dead or in jail. Though Maynards record indicates he is unbeaten thats not entirely true. The former interim UFC Heavyweight champion, Carwin has been rumored by some to have had the biggest hands in UFC history. After the Robert Curry fight in 1991 I hung it up. SM: So what was the highlight of your amateur career? David "Tank" Abbott was an early icon in the sport of MMA and was also one of the first to wear the traditional MMA gloves that all fighters are required to wear now. However, one thing that all of the men on this list have in common is that they have a life after fighting that is worth sharing. Milton McCrory, a former WBC welterweight champion, fought out of the legendary Kronk boxing gym in Detroit. Kronk began to earn fame during the late 1970s, when prospects like Hilmer Kenty, Thomas Hearns and Mickey Goodwin trained there. How to watch: Livestreamed on UFC Fight Pass. But after he died in 2012, the biggest void possible staredat the remaining crew. The Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, hold 75 per cent of the title belts but few peoples imaginations in the US, although to be fair they are European superstars and dont really need U.S. cable TV money to thrive economically. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I just think I grew as a fighter. Click here to see the full KRONK x ROOTS collab. That effort begins in earnest Thursday withthe "Detroit Brawl at the Legendary Kronk" fight card, featuring fighters from the Kronk team as well as other local fighters. MM: You know I was supposed to fight on the first Leonard-Hearns undercard. 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. Brandon Vera (11-5) meets Thiago Silva (14-2) in a light heavyweight match up. They end up unconscious. I always wanted to be a professional baseball player. Imagine what he might have done had Mayweather been in the opposite corner?