The Michigan LBC Scholarship, funded by the Gary Richards Education Scholarship Fund, is offered to worthy athletes planning to attend an accredited college or trade school for the 2023/2024 academic year.   Athletes may be eligible to receive a scholarship of up to $1000.  (Gary Richards is in the middle in the picture on the left.)

Please download and complete the document called Michigan LBC Scholarship Application 2023-2024, found on the Downloads page of this website (click here). 

Applications must be submitted to Paul Watson at the address on the form by no later than June 1, 2023 to be eligible for consideration for a scholarship. 

USA Boxing will hold the first ever USA Boxing Women’s Championships, July 22-29, 2023, in Toledo, Ohio at the Glass City Center. 

The week-long inaugural event will be open to all age groups, as well as to novice and open female boxers, including non-citizens and boxers from International Federations that are currently in good standing.  

The event will also feature opportunities for boxers and coaches to attend lectures on a variety of topics related to female boxers. There will also be an all-female bronze and silver coaching clinic. The Women’s Championships will also serve as a ranking points tournament. More information on the lectures and coaching clinics will be released in the coming weeks.  

See the USABoxing event page for further details.

There are significant changes to weight classes in 2023 that the National Golden Gloves has implemented for this year. 

These changes only involve only the Open Male Boxers weight divisions. The Open Female Boxers weight divisions remain unchanged from last year. All novice weight divisions, both female and male, remain unchanged as well. 

For Open Male Boxers: The 132 pound weight class has been added, and the 189 pound weight class has been eliminated. 

Yes – that is true – for open males, the class below the open 203+ class is 176-203 (A 27 POUND DIFFERENTIAL!!). Please be aware of this. See below.

Male Open (age 18-40) = 112 - 125 - 132 - 139 - 147 - 156 - 165 - 176 - 203 - 203+

Female Open (age 18-40) = 106 - 114 - 125 - 132 - 139 - 146 - 154 - 165 - 178 - 178+

Youth Male (age 17-18) = 106 - 112 - 119 - 125 - 132 - 139 - 147 - 156 - 165 - 176 - 189 - 203 - 203+

Youth Female (age 17-18) = 106 - 110 - 115 - 119 - 125 - 132 - 139 - 146 - 154 - 165 - 178 - 178+

(all weights are in pounds) 

Boxers ages 8 through 16 are per USA Boxing competition weights (see the USABoxing rule book, Appendix F). 

The State of Michigan is proud to be home to three Golden Gloves Champions and a Bronze Medal winner from the National Golden Gloves Tournament held in Tulsa, Oklahoma the week of August 8-13, 2022.  

From the Metro Detroit Golden Gloves franchise: Champion Kentrel Rouser in the 139 male division.  From the Michigan Golden Gloves franchise: Champion Zoe Hicks in the 114 lb female division, Champion Kim Green in the 178+ lb female division, and Bronze Medalist Hanita Tuitupou in the 125 lb female division.  

Congratulations to all.  

See the Photos page for pictures of all these great champions.  (click here)

A team comprised of boxers and coaches from the Michigan LBC visited Ireland June 12-19, 2022 and competed with boxers from Ireland.  The rewards gained from the trip by far exceed the 3-4 record that the Michigan team compiled on their visit.  This was not about “winning” or “losing”.  The trip was a “once in a lifetime” event for most of the boxers.  The experience gained was immeasurable.  These fine boxers served as ambassadors and brought home stories and lessons that they will share with for those who could not make the trip. The boxers stayed with host families on the trip.  This enabled them to get a first-hand look at how people in Ireland live.  The boxers visited gyms and learned the differences in how Irish boxers train.  The coaches had an opportunity to see how Irish gyms are structured and run.  Congratulations to Team Detroit for a very successful trip. 

Team Detroit was comprised of: Boxers, Lance Smith (team captain), Jasmine Hampton, Gage Whiting, Michael Turner, Deion Plummer, Thomas Covington, Khalil Harvey jr (“lil KK”); Coaches: Chad Jaquillard, Khalil Harvey Sr; Official: Ansel Stewart.  

Pictures from the trip are available on this website on the Photos page.  Click here to go there. 

Note: The Ireland team will be visiting Detroit for the second half of the Bridges Beyond Boxing competition on Sunday September 4, 2022.  See Calendar Page for details (click here). 

A downloadable copy of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Golden Gloves of America may be found on the Downloads page of this website.  (Click here to be taken there.)

DETROIT (May 18, 2022) - KRONK Boxing Gym and TITLE Boxing announced a partnership today to supply both the KRONK amateur boxing team and ESCOT™, KRONK’s youth development program with TITLE Boxing gear including the return of the classic KRONK GOLD boxing trunks along with a full line of co-branded boxing gear that will be available for purchase by boxing fans worldwide.  

The partnership was the result of an extensive search by John Lepak, KRONK Boxing’s business manager. The famed KRONK boxing dynasty, originated by the legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, is currently in the early stages of revitalizing and re-energizing the gym and its amateur and professional boxing programs while giving back to the community through Emanuel Steward Champions of Tomorrow (ESCOT) KRONK’s youth development programs.   

“TITLE Boxing was a natural for us as we explored partnerships with them and other professional boxing companies. TITLE understood our purpose. They understood our history. And they had the ability and willingness to move quickly without a lot of red tape. That’s how we operate here. We have a lot of work to do, and we want partners who are willing to run fast with us,” said Lepak.   

Boxes and boxes of TITLE Boxing gear arrived at KRONK Gym and were ready for installation and use with the kids, aged 8-18, who aspire to become champions one day in the ring, and others who aspire to become champions in whatever life path they choose.  

“Boxing is a sport that benefits both those who want to win in the ring and those who want to win in life,” said Jeff Styers, KRONK partner. Styers is a former professional boxer himself, turned successful business owner and community leader. In 2021, he partnered with Sylvia Steward-Williams the daughter of Emanuel Steward to revitalize KRONK and restore its presence in Detroit and around the world.   

Doug Ward, TITLE Boxing‘s vice president of marketing, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity to advance both the next generation of boxers and leaders to their highest potential. It’s a chance for us to not only outfit the KRONK boxing team but also help ESCOT, KRONK’s youth development program. There’s a great need out there for kids to have mentorship and guidance, learn discipline and hard work, and gain the courage that can only come from stepping into that ring.“  

TITLE Boxing generously provided equipment, including heavy bags, speed bags, corner pads, mitts, hand wraps, boxing gloves, and everything else needed to outfit a world-class gym. They have also sourced and are providing the “real” classic KRONK GOLD boxing trunks for the amateur team. KRONK head coach, Erskine Wade said, “Many former amateur and professional boxers feared those trunks, on sight, back in the day. Our plan is that they will fear them again. I can’t wait to have those trunks back.” 

 “If my father were alive, he would be truly grateful to TITLE for partnering with us. So many of our amateur boxers and the ESCOT kids cannot afford their own gear or even pay for their membership in the gym. Sponsorships keep our doors open and our program running. That would not be possible without companies like TITLE Boxing and their generosity,” said Sylvia Steward-Williams, KRONK partner.   

“The gym looks amazing; never looked better. And the kids are starting to realize that they are part of something big. Not only are they part of a bright future but also a legacy, a banner of boxing tradition and excellence,” said Milton McCrory, KRONK coach and former world champion who was trained by Emanuel Steward himself.  

KRONK Gym’s storied history includes dozens of world champions. Today many of those world champions are part of the KRONK family and give back by training and inspiring young boxers and the ESCOT kids.  

Already the TITLE-KRONK partnership is creating a line of co-branded gear that will include exclusive Emanuel Steward Signature Punch Mitts among other iconic items which will be available to boxing fans who want to relive an epic period in boxing history and support ESCOT at the same time. TITLE Boxing will donate profits from the co-branded merchandise to this worthy cause.  

 “I think this is just the beginning of a long-term relationship between KRONK and TITLE, since Lepak. “We are just getting started.”  

About KRONK KRONK Boxing Gym was founded in the basement of a Detroit community center nearly 50 years ago. From those humble beginnings, Emanuel Steward turned KRONK into a household name by training more than 41 fighters to world champion titles. In 2021, nine years after the passing of Emanuel Steward in 2012, his daughter Sylvia Steward-Williams partnered with former pro boxer Jeff Styers to revitalize the gym and the KRONK brand. Today, KRONK is on the rise through its new amateur program and professional affiliations. Fans can find real, authorized apparel and boxing gear only at the Real KRONK Gym Store where 10% of all proceeds go to ESCOT, Emanuel Steward Champions of Tomorrow, KRONK’s youth development program which helps kids have a better shot at leading a championship life.  KRONK Gym is located at the Jefferson-Barns Community Vitality Center, 32150 Dorsey Street, Westland, Michigan. (www.kronk.com, www.realkronkgymstore.)  

About TITLE Boxing  From equipment design to real involvement in the sport, to having integrity in business, TITLE continually delivers the best in the boxing industry. Since 1998, TITLE Boxing has been dedicated to making everyone’s pursuit of the sweet science a positive experience, by being the industry leader in safety, innovation, setting the standard of what great gear really means and taking pride in what prize fighting is all about. Every piece of equipment that bears the TITLE logo, is a demonstration of their deeper passion for the future of our youth.  It represents the support of healthy amateur competition, professional boxing at its best, physical fitness across all ages and symbolizes every athlete’s personal journey towards greatness. (www.TITLEboxing.com)  -END- 

The USABoxing rulebook has been updated as of January 1, 2022. A link for downloading the new rulebook and a summary of the changes may be found here: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-boxing/usa-boxing-national-rulebook

Among some of the highlights are:

• Official in Charge replaces Supervisor
• Beards are permitted at local and regional events up to a certain length
• New weight classifications
• The number of rounds and time limits for rounds are updated
• Pee wee females may box pee wee males
• Dentists need not sign braces form -- Only the boxer's parents
• Red mouthpieces are permitted
• Sport Hijabs are permitted
• 10 ounce gloves up to 139 lbs.  12 ounce gloves at 140 lbs. and over.

See the new rulebook and the summary page for the complete list of changes.

Congratulations to the four National Champions from Michigan: Jasmine Hampton of Ann Arbor (119 lb. female division); Kahlil Harvey, Jr. of Canton (75 lb. male division); Joshua Pagan of Grand Rapids (147 lb. male division), who boxes out of Michigan Golden Gloves Association gym; Justin Lacey-Pierce of Grand Rapids (165 lb male division), who also boxes out of Michigan Golden Gloves Association gym.  We are all proud of your achievements. 

They earned their titles at the USA Boxing National Championships in Shreveport, Louisiana, December 5-11, 2021. 

See the Photos page (click here) of this website for pictures.

Great job!. 

The following is a press release from October 8: 

Kronk Announces New Partnership 

Press Conference October 8, 2021, to Reveal Plan for the Future 

DETROIT (Oct. 8, 2021) - Kronk Boxing Detroit will announce at an October 8, 2021 press conference at TCF Center, a new partnership between Sylvia Steward-Williams, daughter of Kronk’s Boxing Hall of Fame trainer, Emanuel Steward, and Jeff Styers, founder and CEO of Arrow Strategies, owner of Norwayne Boxing Gym Youth Development Program and former professional boxer, who together plan to revitalize Kronk’s past and positively impact the lives of kids in the Detroit Metro area. 

The partnership will align Norwayne Boxing Gym’s highly successful boxing and life changing youth development programs with the famed Kronk heritage and brand name. The belief is that this powerful combination will inspire kids to achieve, and will develop them into the champions they may not yet know they can be, both in the ring and in life. All programs are free to youth. 

“My father cared deeply about the young people at the gym. He took care of them. When the opportunity came to partner with Jeff Styers, who has a track record of putting kids and their futures first, I knew we had to find a way to join forces,” said Sylvia StewardWilliams. Steward-Williams has been leading the Kronk brand for more than 25 years.

Jeff Styers founded Norwayne Boxing Gym in 2015 so that kids in the Detroit Metro area could learn the powerful life lessons that come from boxing training and competition. It quickly grew into a program that includes mentoring, tutoring, community involvement and leadership, in addition to athletics. He credits the lessons he learned as both an amateur and a pro boxer as primary reasons for his success in life. He has made it his mission to teach others. 

“My relationship with the Stewards, getting to know Emanuel, his wife Marie and daughter Sylvia goes back many years. Even as a young boxer, I revered the Kronk name and the boxers it produced. Seeing an opponent in Kronk trunks across the ring, I knew it was going to be a good fight. To say I’m honored to be a partner in the international Kronk brand and with this legendary family, is an understatement. To carry on Emanuel’s mission is a dream come true,” said Styers. 

More details about the partnership, its vision, its mission and its goals—both short term and long term—will be revealed in a press conference October 8, 2021, at the TCF Center in the shadow of the famed Joe Louis statue. All press is invited to attend. 

The new Kronk Gym will host an Open House the day after the press conference on October 9, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at the Jefferson-Barns Community Vitality Center, 32150 Dorsey Street, Westland, Michigan. Everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities.

For more information: Kathy Heasley – 480-209-7293 (cell) Heasley & Partners, Inc. Kathy@KRONKSPORTS.COM 

To watch the press conference of October 8, 2021, please click on this link:   https://vimeo.com/626510037

For photos of the press conference, go to the Photos page (click here).

Gary Richards, former president of the Michigan Association of USA Boxing, received this year’s Julius Piazza Memorial Trophy in recognition of his leadership and support of amateur boxing across the Great Lakes region over the past 50 years. Richards, a longtime Saginaw resident, has played an important role in strengthening amateur boxing efforts statewide, working closely with area trainers and athletes throughout the Golden Gloves and Silver Gloves circuit. Richards’ impact on the world of amateur boxing extends far beyond Michigan, as he joined the USA Boxing Board as its Grassroots Director in 2010. Richards is the 49th recipient of the annual Julius Piazza Memorial Trophy, which honors the late boxing promoter who orchestrated several major boxing matches at Veterans Memorial Park in the 1950s and spearheaded efforts to bring the Golden Gloves to Saginaw in 1962. “We have been honoring outstanding local boxers with the Julius Piazza Memorial Trophy for the past 47 years, and Gary is our first recipient who is being recognized primarily for his extraordinary efforts outside the ring,” said Tony Piazza, who selects the award recipients in collaboration with the Piazza family. “Gary’s impact on the world of amateur boxing is truly incredible, and I am confident that Michigan’s strong reputation as a leader in amateur boxing is a direct reflection of his efforts over the past 50 years. My brothers, James and Andy, and I are proud to add Gary's name to our father's trophy." The Julius Piazza Memorial Trophy remains on display in downtown Saginaw at the Sports Hall of Fame wing of the Castle Museum, having previously been on display at the Dow Event Center for more than 40 years.

Contact: Tony Piazza, 989-751-0361, piazza.anthony1@gmail.com

June 17, 2021

(The photo at the left was taken June 5th at the Saginaw Golden Gloves tournament. Left to right: Tony Piazza, Gary Richards and James Piazza)  A larger photo is on the Photos page.  Click here to go to the Photos page.

The boxing club at the University of Michigan has lost its final appeal to the administration to keep its status as a "club sport". This denies the boxing club the use of any University of Michigan facilities among other things.  Among the reasons given were  "...the nature of the sport and the frequency and force of purposeful contact to the head of the participants involved."  A copy of the full letter by the U-M administration may be seen by going to the Downloads section of this website (or clicking this link).  The boxing club's status will be reduced to a "Voluntary Student Organization," the lowest organizational status within the university.
 

The following is a letter by Michael Zlonkevicz detailing the denial of the appeal.

JAN 24, 2021 — 

The University of Michigan has denied our appeal to continue sponsorship. Our appeal presented the true impact of amateur boxing through academic studies, measures taken by USA Boxing and our college governing bodies to mitigate risk, and letters written by students,  alumni, and coaches explaining the club’s life-changing impact. Despite this effort, Rec Sports and Risk Management thought the risk too great, and upheld its decision to revoke our sponsorship.

The University and Club Sports had gone against its own protocol, disregarded the facts, and ignored students’ voices. They purport to be a resource for students and have blatantly demonstrated otherwise.

The decision is not only a blow to our club but the sport at a national level. We are the winningest program in USIBA, and the decision to axe it will have seismic consequences for college boxing, already facing significant challenges.

Last weekend, Club Sports required us to clear the Coliseum, our home for 30+ years, in order to make more space for group fitness classes this winter semester. All during a pandemic.

Our goal now is to survive. We have gotten news coverage from a number of local outlets, most recently by MLive - check out the article here. We are raising awareness of the University’s decisions to garner support in the following areas:

• Finding a new space to train as a newly branded club in the immediate Ann Arbor area.
• Getting financial support from both donors and sponsors to handle new expenses like space, insurance, and travel once normalcy resumes.
• Spreading word on the University’s hypocrisy to create public pressure and help a reinstatement case in the future.

If you have any leads on potential space, financial help, or spreading awareness, please reach out to mzlonkiv@umich.edu or (734) 934-8117. 

Here is the final decision on our appeal directly from Club Sports and Risk Management.

As we always have and forever will, we fight. TDSM.

To read another article about the boxing club's loss of "club sport" status, click here.

The club is currently looking for spaces to spar and train in Ann Arbor that are close to campus.  If anyone has any information about suitable facilities, please forward it Joe Kastely at chiefofofficials@michiganlbc.com , who will pass along any helpful information.