- Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, New York is arguably the world's most famous boxing gym, having trained everyone from Muhammad Ali to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- Anyone can train at Gleason's Gym - most of the members today are regular New Yorkers learning how to box
- We trained with Hector Roca, who has trained 19 world champions along with actors like Hilary Swank and Wesley Snipes
Gleason's Gym in New York City is a "mecca" of boxing, due not only to its storied history, but also its world-class trainers.
Since the gym opened in 1937, Gleason's has helped 134 world champions reach their peak, including legendary fighters like Jake La Motta and Roberto DurÀn, and contemporary stars like Sonya Lamonakis.
Many of Gleason's 92 trainers have played a hand in shaping those champions. Some, like Alicia Ashley, are former world champions themselves.
At 78-years-old, Hector Roca is the elder statesman of the group. He's trained 19 world champions and once was considered the top Spanish-speaking trainer in the world.
I recently spent the morning at Gleason's to train with Roca and see what it's like.