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The little Kronk gym on Detroit's battered southwest side spawned more than 50 amateur champions, over 120 titles, three Olympic gold medalists, and established a boxing dynasty whose fame would spread worldwide.
Twenty-seven of those boxers went on to the pros under the tutelage of Hall Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, winning 40 world championships and more than $150 million in prize money. But there is another Kronk story. It is a story told by an unmarked grave in a closed city cemetery, final resting place of Bernard "Superbad" Mays, one of the greatest fighters in Kronk history, who died at 33, penniless and alcoholic.
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Sunday, February 11, 2001
Max Ortiz / The Detroit NewsRickey Womack, who started boxing at the Kronk gym at age 13, ended up going to prison at age 17 for armed robbery. Now 39, his is out of prison for the second time, training to fight again. |
- Tragedy stalks Kronk
- Violent death, prison follow some of Detroit’s finest boxers
- Part 2 -- Boxing good to fighters
- Part 3 -- Kids showed potential
- Part 4 -- Success spoiled things
- Part 5 -- Can’t blame Detroit
- Champ’s promise drowns in alcohol
- ‘Superbad’ was most talented Kronk boxer
- Other cities escape tragedy
- Detroit’s unhappy legacy not a tradition for boxers elsewhere
- Kronk Boxing Club history
- A chronology of the triumph and tragedy of Kronk fighters and promoters.
- Where are they now?
Monday, February 12, 2001
Max Ortiz / The Detroit NewsEmanuel Steward has managed 27 world champions at the Kronk gym, but most important has been his father-like relationship with his boxers. |
- ‘Greatest trainer ever,’ Steward’s legacy grows
- Fighters — even Hollywood — seek out his expertise
- Part 2 -- Hardscrabble beginning
- Part 3 -- Formula for the future
- Part 4 -- The big break
- Kronk’s legacy pushes worldwide
- Next generation set to continue success
- Champion gives up ring for family life
- Milton McCrory shuns glamor for regular paycheck
- Hearns still in fight game after 6 titles
- Kronk’s greatest champion promotes boxing matches
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