A number of posters have talked about this during another story, but it deserves to have a post of its own.
One of the more popular boxing gyms along the Beltway, Round One in Capitol Heights, MD, was forced to close recently. Sources have told me, the owner of the gym, Adrian Davis, was unable to pay back rent.
This is a sad situation that, unfortunately, Mr. Davis has had to deal with before. It is a situation that Mr. Davis, the fighter that he is, has bounced back from in the past. This time, he shouldn't have to do it without help.
One poster here has criticized the boxing community, especially those who have trained at Round One, for not stepping up to the plate and paying whatever money is owed to Mr. Davis. I truly can't comment on who owes what to whom because I truly don't know.
But it should be more than just the boxers who should be involved in this situation. This is time for some community and governmental involvement in Prince George's County.
The Davis Family has done incredible work with young people through their gym. Many young people have come out better citizens because they walked into Round One. The county needs to recognize this and give some support.
This could be very similar to what took place surrounding legendary Baltimore trainer, Mack Lewis. Mr. Mack needed money to pay for repairs for his old gym that he had for more than 50 years. The city government, merchants, journalists and former boxers got together, pooled their resources and found a site and built a brand new gym for Mr. Mack just a few years ago. I think it's time the Prince George's County Government and the community does something very similar.
Therefore, I have written the following email to PG County Executive Jack Johnson:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
My name is Gary "Digital" Williams and I write to you as a concerned citizen and a boxing fan.
Recently, the Round One Gymnasium, located in Capitol Heights, MD, was closed because the owner of the gym, Adrian Davis, was unable to raise the money necessary to pay the rent. Mr. Davis, along with his wife, Brenda, have owned Round One for a number of years. A number of professional champions who have lived in the Washington-Baltimore area have called that gym home including current interim WBC Heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, former three-time WBA Middleweight champion William Joppy and former two-time world junior welterweight champion Sharmba Mitchell.
More importantly, however, there have been thousands of young people who have stepped through the doors of Round One and have come out as better citizens because of the discipline, love and care that the Davis family shows. Through boxing at Round One, many young people have been able to travel the country and see places and learn things they may not have been able to see or learn any other way.
In Baltimore, many local businessmen and politicians helped Mr. Mack Lewis, a longtime boxing icon, find and build a new gym when costs to fix his old one proved to be too high. I would like to see the Prince George's County community do the same. I would like suggestions on how it could be done and ask for your input and your support in this matter.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Gary "Digital" Williams
If you would like to write an email to County Executive Jack Johnson, his email address is countyexecutive@co.pg.md.us
Let's do our part to help a needed community resource stay in operation!
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7 comments:
i knew you had to mention this one, gary. i went to see that fight card and it was an excellent night of boxing. most of the fights were competitive, especially tyson-pendellton..
the main event was a the height of the night. you had d.c v baltimore which is always interesting, not only in boxing, but on the street too. i can remember thousands of dollars being bet before the fight, in the crowd.
d.c and baltimore have always had a rivalry..
anyway, it looked as if simon was on his way to a victory, when all of a sudden that left hook of pettway's landed and it was good night. i have never seen such a devasting knockout in my life.. simon was never the same after that..
Thankyou Gary "Digital" Williams for stepping up and saying what needed to be said to the correct source. A.D. is a great man, who has done great things, with greater things to come. Mrs. 'B' is the anchor who holds the ship in place. Indeed Mack Lewis had the same problem being located on Eager St. in Baltimore. The Mack Lewis Gym received assistance and moved 1 block away onto Bond St.; conversely. The block I was raised on. Hopefully, the same can be done area wise for Round One. When Mack Lewis closed, though a negative for many reasons, it benefited some forced to move on. It's weird how '2' historic gym closings can lead to a major positive for someone.
I appreciate those comments. I have not yet received a response from Mr. Johnson. I will try to write him again soon.
Also I will ask to see if Mr. Davis has been able to bounce back yet.
IS THE GYM STILL OPEN,MAYBE THEY CAN HAVE SOME FUNDRAISERS OR SOMETHING TO HELP OUT,I WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP IN ANY WAY,I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT HE GYM WHERE IS IT LOCATED EXACTLY
Since this post, the gym has indeed reopened and has been that way for about two and a half years. It is now located in Bladensburg, MD. I'm sure it can always use donations.
The gym has absolutely reopened and has been that way for about two and a bisected years.
Personal Trainer Network
OT: Hey sports fans, i know this is a bit off topic, but yes Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley fight is happening. The April 9 bout will mark the third time Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley have faced one another. Fortunately we can still see his training for previous fight with Tim Bradley at the Manny Pacquiao Official Youtube channel.
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