Grassroots News Week of August 1
by USA Boxing
Not your traditional gym: Local boxer unconventionally going national
Standing in a 20 by 10 metal storage unit, Paige Gilbert carefully wrapped her hands and forearms in black tape. On either side, two punching bags, hanging down from the top of the unit. A mismatched collection of items sit on the shelf covering the left wall nearby — 1990s Apple desktops, a stack of board games and a transparent container filled with all different sizes of cowboy boots.
The unit has been in use since 2020, and it’s where the majority of Gilbert’s training takes place. It’s nothing fancy, she’ll tell you, but it’s where she’s become a six-time national boxing champion and ranked the first youth in America at 119 pounds.
Celebrating the greatness of the oldest active boxing gym in America - Gleason’s Gym
Gleason’s Gym is the oldest active boxing gym the length and breadth of the United States and it spans, embodies and embraces the essence greatness of the Sport.
Established in 1937, by ex-bantamweight Peter Gagliardi, who changed his name to Bobby Gleason, its first world champion was Phil Terranova, then Jake La Motta. So far, it has produced 131 world champions… and counting!
‘Carry on his tradition’: Gerard boxing gym seeks community help
BRADLEY — The late former Kankakee Deputy Police Chief John Gerard almost always went about his business in a quiet, unassuming way.
He was never one to ask others for help.
He operated a boxing training program for more than 40 years out of his garage-turned-gym.