Inside Gleason's Gym!
"Now whoever has courage, and a strong and collected spirit in his breast, let him come forth, lace up his gloves, and put up his hands." - Virgil
(Words that are emblazoned on a wall at Gleason's Gym)

December 29, 2003

By Lisa Scott
Photos: Lisa Scott

One of the oldest active boxing gyms currently in operation within the United States, Gleason's Gym is the last great boxing landmark in New York.

Presently, there are three world champions who train within it's walls: Wayne Braithwaite (WBC Cruiser), Zab Judah (WBO Jr. Welter) and Vivian Harris (WBA Jr. Welter). Besides the wealth of champs and contenders who have made Gleason's their home (or temporary home), the gym actively supports and promotes amateur boxing, making Gleason's a breeding ground for future talent.

The gym is located in Brooklyn's trendy DUMBO district (District Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). And on any given day, some of the sports former champs and notables can be regularly spotted there: Emile Griffith, Mitch 'Blood' Green, Iran Barkley, Kevin Kelly, Gerry Cooney, Mark Breland, Jose Torres, Oleg Maskaev, Agapito Sanchez and Carlos Ortiz. Even Mike Tyson has been known to make a surprise visit.

Gleason's Gym was founded in 1937 by a flyweight fighter named Peter Robert Gagliardi. He changed his name to Bobby Gleason (in order to appeal to the predominately Irish N.Y. fight crowd) and opened Gleason's Gym on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. Membership dues were $2 as month and Gagliardi (Gleason) struggled to pay the monthly $50 rent during the country's depression.

The gym quickly earned a reputation as the training ground for champions and top ranked contenders such as: Muhammad Ali, Jake LaMotta, Emile Griffith, Benny 'The Kid' Paret, Dick Tiger and Carlos Ortiz... just to name a few.

Thirty seven years later in 1974, the 82 year old Gagliardi (Gleason) moved his gym to the heart of Manhattan, next to Madison Square Garden's current location (Eighth Avenue and 30th Street). The new digs became a home away from home to the likes of: Hearns, Spinks, Chavez, Camacho, Bramble, Holmes, McGuigan, Antuofermo, McCallum, Benitez, Cooney, Duran and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Hollywood script writers and actors also became attracted to the gym.

In 1981, Gleason's was sold to a NY businessman, Ira Becker, and two years later Becker took on a partner, Bruce Silverglade - the current owner of Gleason's. When the building that housed the gym went co-op, Gleason's moved to its current location in Brooklyn.

Silverglade explains, "There were other great NY gyms before Gleason's. For example, Stillman's. They opened at the turn of the century and lasted up until the 50's. So, when Stillman's closed, Gleason's took over the #1 spot. During Madison Square Gardens heyday, from the 50's through the 70's, Gleason's was the gym where everyone came to train.

"Also, Mumammad Ali would begin his training camp in Miami's 5th Street Gym, but would eventually finish up at Gleason's weeks before his fight. In fact, he trained at Gleason's in 1964 when he won the World Heavyweight Title from Sonny Liston."

Regarding the gradual disappearance of the smaller neighborhood gyms, Silverglade states, "At one time, there were many smaller gyms throughout the five boroughs. But because of economics, a lot of those gyms have closed. Their rents and insurance had gone through the roof and they couldn't stay afloat. While I have had the same cost increases, I was able to endure because a lot of those members and their trainers came to Gleason's. Right now, I have the largest number of amateurs and pros of any gym in New York. Because of our name, reputation and size, we attract great fighters and great trainers.

Silverglade adds, "In the past 15 years or so, the white collar person had found out that boxing training was a great work out and had tremendous benefits. They realized that they can come into a real gym just to work out. They created a popularity. If it weren't for the white collar men and women, Gleason's would be a much smaller gym or... non existent."

In a recent conversation with promoter Lou DiBella, he has stated to this reporter that he plans on staging monthly club fights in NYC for 2004. With the recent appointment of Ron Scott Stevens as Chairman of the NYS Athletic Commission, the future of boxing in New York looks bright. Silverglade opines "For a while, we were diminished because of the lack of boxing in NY. So, the more shows that we have here, the more the amateur program will build up, because the amateurs will have something to turn to when they turn pro. The resurgence of boxing in NY will be good for the sport overall."

As Fightnews regularly visits Gleason's in order to conduct interviews and keep abreast of the fighters who train there, Gleason's is thought to be more than just a gym - it is a haven for many who walk through its doors and an opportunity towards greatness for others.

General Information: Membership dues are $70 a month, with the exception of amateur fighters who pay $10 less. Silverglade has also established a program entitled 'Give a Kid a Dream', which allows underprivileged children the opportunity to train at Gleason's without paying dues. In addition to the usual boxing equipment, the 15,000 square foot gym contains: 4 full sized rings, free weights, treadmills, stationery bikes and locker facilities. There are approximately 900 members - less than half are either amateur or pro fighters, while the remainder consists of recreational boxers. For further information call 718-797-2872.

Notes to those interested in visiting or training at Gleason's: Spectators are welcome to watch the pros train, but keep in mind that they usually train in the morning or afternoon; Unlike most professional athletes, fighters (and trainers) are very approachable and are eager to give autographs and talk to fans, however... after their training has been completed; Gleason's is a hard core gym, there is no water fountain or air conditioning; Gleason's is easily accessible by public transportation; Many of the trainers at Gleason's are former fighters who train pros and they are willing to work with recreational boxers; First time training in a gym? Don't worry, the consensus amongst those at Gleason's is respect, equality and acceptance because all members share a common thread - a love of boxing.