Gleason's Gym

Gleason's is a boxing gym located on the Brooklyn waterfront. Since 1937, when the gym was founded in the Bronx, boxers with their eyes on Olympic glory or a shot at the title have been training at Gleason's. Fighters who trained at the gym include Jake LaMotta, Roberto Durán, Benny "Kid" Paret, Paulie Malignaggi, Gerry Cooney, and Mike Tyson. Before his first title fight against Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, also trained at Gleason's.

The gym was founded by Peter Gagliardi, a former bantamweight, who changed his name to Bobby Gleason. It moved to Manhattan and then to Brooklyn. Gleason's is now owned by Bruce Silverglade.

Gleason's is reminiscent of the time when New York was the center of the boxing universe, when there were dozens of serious gyms in the city and when big fights were often held in Madison Square Garden. Now Gleason's is among the last of a breed. It manages to stay open by permitting average joes—men and women—to train side by side with professional boxers, and stages "White Collar Boxing" events that cater to this clientele.

There is also a wrestling school called the World of Unpredictable Wrestling run by WWE Hall of Fame member Johnny Rodz. Many wrestlers and wrestling promoters have come from there. Graduates include Tommy Dreamer, Matt Striker, Taz, D-Von Dudley, Vince Russo, Prince Nana, Kodama, Obariyon, as well as Big Vito, Da Baldies, Elektra, Ricky Vega, The Musketeer, Mac Daddy Flexx, Tim Arson, Damien Demento, the late S.D. Jones, the late Rocco Rock, and many more.

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