5th Street Gym Reopens

International Boxing Hall of Fame 1 Hall of Fame Drive Canastota, NY 13032 P: 315.697.7095 F: 315.697.5356

ANGELO DUNDEE'S 5th STREET GYM

REOPENS IN MIAMI BEACH

MIAMI BEACH, FL - SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 - On September 23rd, the past met the future on the corner of 5th Steet and Washington Ave in Miami Beach, Florida as the historic 5th Street Gym reopened a few yards from its original location.

First opened by Hall of Fame brothers Chris and Angelo Dundee in 1950, for over four decades the gym played host to countless boxing luminaries, including Hall of Famers Muhammad Ali, Carmen Basilio, Willie Pastrano, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Willie Pep, Carlos Ortiz, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano, Sonny Liston, Kid Gavilan, Jake LaMotta and Archie Moore, who all honed their skills in the famous fight factory. The magic of 5th Street also extended to the entertainment world with celebrities such as Jackie Gleason, The Beatles, Sean Connery, Frank Sinatra and Sylvester Stallone stopping by to see the boxing greats in action.

Nearly 60 years after it first opened, and 17 years after it was torn down in 1993, the famous gym is now back. Angelo Dundee, along with partners Matt Baiamonte, Dino Spencer and Tom Tsatas unveiled the modern facility with fanfare as many members of the boxing community helped Dundee and company cut the red ribbon to officially signal the rebirth of the gym. The most celebrated athlete in 5th Street Gym history, three-time heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer Muhammad Ali, made a special appearance for the occasion. With the chants of “Ali, Ali, Ali” ringing through the building, “The Greatest” appeared to the delight of the assembled crowd.

Joining Ali for the celebration were “The Fight Doctor” Ferdie Pacheo, current WBA / IBF featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, former champions Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Shannon Briggs, Glen Johnson, Al “Ice” Cole and Pinklon Thomas, contenders Fres Oquendo, David Estrada and Andy Lee, 1976 Olympic gold medalist Howard Davis, Jr, broadcaster Col. Bob Sheridan, Florida State Boxing Commission Chairman Ramiro Ortiz, Hall of Fame director Ed Brophy and Hall of Famers Emanuel Steward and Bert Sugar.

The new 5th Street Gym, with walls adorned with posters and photos of past champions who trained there, will offer cardio,weight and strength conditioning and boxing to men, women and youth of all ages and skill level.

For more information, please visit www.5thStGym.com

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Sign at the entrance of the 5th Street Gym

Gold medal winner Howard Davis Jr. and Hall of Famer Bert Sugar meet up in Miami

Angelo Dundee and Hall director Ed Brophy

Angelo Dundee proudly stands by the gym entrance

Light heayvweight star Glen Johnson helps celebrate the gym opening

Angelo Dundee signs an autograph for a boxing fan

Inspirational words line the walls of the gym

Angelo Dundee being interviewed about the grand reopening

Hall director Ed Brophy raises Yuriorkis Gamboa's hand in victory

Bert Sugar answers questions from reporters.

Angelo Dundee and Shannon Briggs discuss Brigg's upcoming heavyweight title bid againt Vitali Klitschko

Click on a thumbnail to view larger photo

The official ribbon cutting (left to right) Angelo Dundee, Hall director Ed Brophy, Suzanne Dundee Bonner (Chris Dundee's daughter), Mayor of Miami Matti Herrera Bower, 5th Street owners Matt Baiamonte and Dino Spencer