DETROIT – Kronk Gym, one of Detroit’s most legendary boxing institutions, often called the city’s fifth franchise, has officially reopened its doors.
After months of construction, the gym returned to its roots at 670 Wilkins Street inside the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center on Wednesday (Dec. 10)
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For decades, Kronk was more than a gym—it symbolized Detroit’s fighting spirit and served as a proving ground for champions.
Under the visionary leadership of International Boxing Hall of Fame member Emanuel Steward, Kronk became a global brand, producing numerous Olympic medalists and world champions.
Steward began coaching at Kronk in 1971 at the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, where it remained until its closure in 2006 due to city cutbacks and theft.
He then opened a new Kronk gym on Warren Avenue, which closed after his death in 2012.
In 2015, his wife Marie Steward opened another Kronk location on Mettatal Street, which closed in 2020 due to flooding.
Under new ownership and with continued involvement from Marie, Emanuel’s daughter Sylvia Steward-Williams, and several original Kronk world champions, the gym is committed to reigniting Steward’s spirit.
The leadership team includes Detroit natives and longtime Kronk affiliates such as Paul Bhatti, John Lepak, Amer Abdallah, Mikey Shumaker, Marie, Sylvia, and Kronk’s first world champion, Hilmer Kenty.
The Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center was chosen for its rich boxing history, having been a training site in the 1930s and ’40s for legends like Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Eddie Futch, and Emanuel himself.
After sitting vacant for nearly two decades, the center’s revival as Kronk gym aims to restore its legacy as a hub for Olympic medalists and world champions.
The new Kronk gym focuses on developing elite talent at amateur and professional levels while fostering a deep connection with the Detroit community.
The 3,500-square-foot facility offers high-performance training areas tailored to all levels of boxing.
Kronk offers memberships including youth and amateur boxing, adult fitness and boxing training, elite amateur and professional programs, and family options.
The gym also features a robust schedule of classes, including beginner and intermediate boxing, youth development (ages 8–17), women’s boxing and fitness, strength and conditioning, elite amateur training, and professional development sessions.
Training leaders include Mary Jo Sanders, a 2025 International Boxing Hall of Famer and celebrated American boxing champion, as well as other Kronk world champions and alumni, including trainers Third Chambers and Johnathon Banks.
Kronk has signed its first two professional fighters under new management: undefeated Hunter Lee (4-0) and amateur Golden Gloves champion William Myhre, who is expected to debut professionally in February 2026.
The gym also launched an exclusive line of apparel and gear, available in-gym and online, including limited-edition hoodies, jackets, t-shirts, boxing gloves, training apparel, winter hats, wraps, bags, and accessories.
Kronk Gym is located at the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, 670 Wilkins Street, Detroit.
Hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for general fitness and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for boxing training; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon for fitness and noon to 2 p.m. for boxing; closed Sundays.
For memberships, class schedules, merchandise, fighter announcements, and special programming, visit www.kronk.com.