5th Street Gym

History

The 5th Street Gym was founded by Philadelphia-born boxing manager Chris Dundee in 1951. Dundee created the gym when he became a fight promoter at the Miami Beach Auditorium. Established in Miami Beach, Florida, it was situated at 5th Street and 501 Washington Avenue. Chris Dundee's younger brother, Angelo Dundee, joined the gym in the mid-1950s after an apprenticeship in New York, helping to develop and manage the stable of fighters.

Muhammad Ali, then still known as Cassius Clay, started training at the 5th Street Gym in December 1960. The gym's door was managed by trainer Sully Emmett, who charged varying fees—25 cents to enter the gym, 50 cents when Ali trained, and $1 during major Ali pre-fight workouts.

Longtime matchmaker Moe Fleischer relocated to Miami, Florida in the 1960s and joined the 5th Street Gym as a trainer.

In 1982, Chris Dundee sold the 5th Street Gym to promoter Felix Zabala but continued operating it. The original 5th Street Gym was demolished in 1993.

The 5th Street Gym was relaunched in September 2011 at 555 Washington Avenue by Angelo Dundee and a team of businessmen: Matt Baiamonte, Tom Tsatas, and Dino Spencer. In May 2013, Jim Dundee, the late Angelo's son, terminated the licensing agreement, saying the gym was no longer aligned with his father's legacy. Tom Tsatas and Dino Spencer, former partners, announced a separate gym under the name "World Famous 5th Street Gym," unaffiliated with the Dundee brand.

Notable fighters

• USA Muhammad Ali
• USA Willie Pastrano
• USA Ralph Dupas
• USA Sugar Ray Leonard
• USA Carmen Basilio
• USA Jimmy Ellis
• CUB Luis Manuel Rodríguez
• CUB José Nápoles
• CUB Sugar Ramos
• CUB Florentino Fernández

References

References

1. (August 15, 2013). "Sorry WSVN, But That Wasn't the Original 5th Street Gym That Got Jacked".
2. Pacheco, Ferdie. (2010). "Tales from the 5th St. Gym: Ali, the Dundees, and Miami's Golden Age of Boxing". University Press of Florida.
3. (2011-04-28). "Boxing: Second coming of Miami's legendary 5th Street Gym".
4. "Muhammad Ali appearance at 5th Street Gym triggers sadness - Page 2 - ESPN".
5. (1998). "Chris Dundee".
6. (1985). "The incomparable Sully Emmett". The Miami Herald.
7. (1972). "Dundee out, not down". The Washington Daily News.
8. (1968). "Muhammad Ali, who Once was Cassius Clay". Funk & Wagnalls.
9. (2010). "Tales from the 5th Street Gym: Ali, the Dundees, and Miami's Golden Age of Boxing". University Press of Florida.
10. (1977). "Trainer Moe has age on ropes". The Montreal Star.
11. (1998). "Chris Dundee Stays Active in Boxing".
12. (2000). "Fighting for a comeback". The Miami Herald.
13. (2013). "Family Of Late Boxing Trainer Angelo Dundee Announces New Direction With Brand".