Boxing workouts for all fitness levels
Charity event this weekend puts local names in the ring.
With a reverential nod to some of the greatest boxers in history, the inaugural Dayton Knockout on Saturday proves fundraising can be delivered with a jab and a hook.
The event, presented by the AIDS Resource Center Ohio Associate Board and Dayton History in conjunction with Drake’s Downtown Gym, will take place in Memorial Hall, the 1910 building where some of these legendary men bobbed and weaved.
Volunteers have helped John Drake, owner of Drake’s Downtown Gym, construct a boxing ring for the hall, which hosted prominent fights during the 1920s and 1930s.
All proceeds from Knockout will go toward the preservation of Dayton History, under which Memorial Hall’s restoration falls, and the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“Many people are not aware of the boxing history that Dayton has,” said Jennifer Dean, development manager for Dayton History.
“In 1925, two of the world’s greatest heavyweight fighters – Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunny – were at Memorial Hall,” she adds. “Dempsey was champion at the time, and Tunny was here watching Dempsey’s exhibition show and later took the title from him in 1927.”
“Memorial Hall is such a fantastic venue, and we are hoping to reinvigorate it for this inaugural event,” says Jack Omer, chairman of the ARC Ohio Associate Board. “I am so pleased that we can bring this first-ever event to the forefront to benefit two very worthy causes.”
The Knockout boxers are Ron Rollins, Dayton Daily News; Mike Tenore, Montgomery County Prosecutors Office; Maha Kashani, Dayton City Paper; Randy Stevenson, Stevenson Law; Brent Johnson, Square One Spa and Salon; Shannon Potts, City of Dayton attorney; Jennifer Dean, Dayton History; Amelia Robinson, Dayton Daily News; Alexis Larson, Dayton Art Institute; Kristen Wicker, Downtown Dayton Partnership; Angie Giere, community volunteer; Michelle Richardson, A Vogue Idea; Kelly Hemm, Southview Hospital; Drew Trick, Lucky’s Tap Room & Eatery; Brian White, Workflow One; and Mike Sullivan, city of Riverside police officer.
Drake started training the fighters about three months ago. “You can take boxing to any level,” he says, adding he has been stressing focus and control during the training sessions.
The fighters will go toe to toe for three rounds in the boxing ring. The match-ups were announced Friday.
And Dayton Knockout will definitely tap into the spirit of the Prohibition Era. Spectators can cheer them on while enjoying cocktails and food with a 1920s flair that will be available throughout the evening. An afterparty will take place in a speak-easy lounge in the lower level of Memorial Hall. Local band Funky G and the Groove Machine will perform.
Take a shot at boxing
Boxing-inspired workouts offer a mix of flexibility, cardio, core and strength training for all levels of fitness.
You don’t have to be a professional fighter to take part in the Hits & Mitts classes, for instance, offered at Drake’s Downtown Gym. “The group classes are fun and energetic,” explains gym owner and trainer John Drake, and they provide “great overall exercise.”
The group classes are offered for beginner, mid-level and advanced or competitive levels. One-on-one training also is available, as is personal training.
Times for Hits & Mitts are 6:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays; noon on Mondays through Fridays; and 6 and 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
Drake’s also features Kids & Mitts (for ages 12 to 17) at 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
In addition, the gym has Warrior Workout classes for advanced athletes, during which they can spar and train with competitive fighters, as well as sparring.
For more information, call the gym at (937) 223-6193 or log onto www.jabcityboxing.biz. Drake’s is located at 207 E. Fourth St. in Dayton.