DETROIT – Tommy "the Hitman" Hearns credits his success to the culture at Kronk Gym.
"This place has done a lot for a lot of people," Hearts said. "To see the way it is now, it's a sad sight."
And it's not just Hearns. Kronk Gym has helped countless youth stay out of trouble.
Almost a century ago, Kronk Gym became a mecca in the boxing world and a landmark in Detroit.
"You have (these fighters), those guys came from troubled area to escape the violence and became world champs," said Rhonda Mitchell of the boxing community center.
A suspicious fire started on the second floor of the vacant building around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze but were pulled out of the building due to safety concerns.
After four hours the fire was contained, with the second floor all but destroyed after the roof caved in.
"Whoever would deliberately set this place on fire is a monster," Mitchell said.
Kronk Gym, at McGraw and Junction on the westside, was founded by Emanuel Steward.
More than 40 world champion fighters trained at the iconic and now badly damaged building.
"It’s just sad that people didn’t value this place as much as we did," Mitchell said.