CATCHING UP WITH
KRONK
B oxing fans around the world are familiar with the KRONK brand, but Detroiters know it as the city’s “fifth franchise,” along with the Red Wings (NHL), the Lions (NFL), the Tigers (MLB) and the Pistons (NBA). In the early 1970s, Emanuel Steward began training amateur boxers inside the basement of the old Kronk Community Center at 5555 McGraw Avenue. Less than a decade later, Hilmer Kenty became his first professional world champion. Over the next three decades, dozens of titleholders donned KRONK trunks, and the famed red and gold became synonymous with boxing success. But sadly, in 2006, the original gym closed due to major issues with the building’s deteriorating structure, materials theft and city funding cutbacks. Undeterred, Steward opened a new location just a few miles away, with continued success. Wladimir Klitschko began his historic heavyweight championship run during that era at KRONK. Future heavyweight champ Tyson Fury briefly trained there with Steward as well. Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, a Detroit native, won a junior middleweight world title. Ireland’s Andy Lee not only trained with Steward during those years, but he also lived with him until the KRONK founder’s death in 2012. KRONK struggled in the years following Steward’s passing. The gym moved to multiple
KRONK Boxing, much like the city it calls home, has been knocked down a few times. Many thought it was knocked out. But KRONK and Detroit are back, and the future is looking brighter than ever. By Michael Montero
The great Emanuel Steward with (L-R) Oba Carr, Michael Moorer, Leeonzer Barber and Jemal Hinton.
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