The original Centre Avenue YMCA was a boxing gym located in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District. It was run and operated out of the YMCA recreation center and became a magnet to young talented boxers.
Among the many great boxers and world champions who trained at the Center Avenue YMCA at least once during their careers are Robert White, Ernie Sharif, Darren Dolby, Johnny Spell, Charlie Burley, Jack Johnson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Fritz Zivic, Buster Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jackie Wilson, Johnny “Goodnight” Knight, Emanuel Stewart, Tommy Hearns, Clint Jackson, Eddie “Cutie Pie” Chambers Sr., John Tate, Billy Conn and Joe Louis.
On Sept. 3, the original boxing gym, at 2621 Centre Avenue, reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony as the New WPAL Centre Avenue Gym. The boxing ring used in the recent filming of the movie “Southpaw,” was donated to the gym.
“A lot of people covet money, but I covet boxing rings. It’s a sickness,” said “Maddog” Jimmy Cvetic, executive director of the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League. “I think it’s important to teach people to become champions in their own lives.”
Charles “Teenie” Harris boxing photos of former champions who fought and visited the Y covered the walls and inspirational signs were hanging 10 feet above the floor.
About Post Author
