Emanuel Steward, Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis – just some of the influential boxing figures that come to mind when the name ‘KRONK’ is mentioned.
A style of fighting, a mentality, and a pillar of boxing around the globe, the Detroit gym trained over 40 world champions and gained a worldwide reputation for building and crafting some of boxing’s biggest names, but the famous gold and red resonated with fans for more than just it’s fighters, until it’s devastating closure.
Now, the gym is hopeful of a comeback.
The KRONK gym opened in 1921, but it was during the 1970’s where a plethora of local Detroit talent descended upon the world stage, each from humble beginnings representing a humble gym, and the KRONK name soon became a well-known boxing enterprise. Led by Steward and spearheaded by Hilmer Kenty, Thomas Hearns and Mickey Goodwin, Kenty became KRONK’s first world champion in 1980 with a stoppage win over Ernesto Espana for the WBA lightweight title, only for Hearns to follow suit just five months later with a second-round knockout of Jose Cuevas for the WBA welterweight crown.
The success of Hearns and others throughout the 1980’s rippled throughout the gym and saw them explode onto the world scene, by the 1990’s, KRONK became an attractive proposal to the top fighters in the world, even if just for one training session in order to experience a taste of life under Steward.
After years of continued success led by Hearns, eventual three-time heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis became KRONK’s new poster boy once Hearns’ time at the top came to an end, and ‘The Lion’ represented a new example of what it meant to be a part of the now booming stable in downtown Detroit.
An Olympic gold medallist with a traditional style, Steward converted a soft Lewis jab into one of the strongest the world had ever seen, utilizing the left-hand power of the British-Canadian by changing his jab into a punch with mean intentions rather than just a set-up shot – but also using it to open up opportunities for a signature straight right-hand.
In the rematch with Hasim Rahman, Lennox Lewis controlled the distance with jab, beautifully mixing in the left hook which would later set up the finish.
What’s your favourite rematch win?#boxingpic.twitter.com/0OYBkHMSRZ
— Steve Boxman (@SteveBoxman) August 27, 2024
The versatility of Lewis saw Steward also transition as a trainer, changing from encouraging a front-footed aggressive approach to a more rounded, patient and selective strategy that was destructively efficient at the correct times.
However, despite their fabled success inside of the ring, KRONK could not escape the local struggles outside of it and the gym closed down in 2006 – thieves stealing copper pipes from the site when it was on its knees ultimately proving to be the final straw – a sign of the times in Detroit.
Steward’s death in 2012 devastated the world of boxing but it left KRONK lost. How could an institute that is epitomised by its trainer survive and be reborn without him?
Many investors have previously attempted to return KRONK to greatness, but now there is a team who hopes of bringing KRONK back to big-time boxing, and they have a plan to make it happen. After working closely with Emanuel’s wife, Marie Steward and his daughter, Sylvia Steward, Paul Bhatti now finds himself leading a diverse team that is committed to returning KRONK to the bright lights of boxing.
After 31 years in the IT industry, Bhatti & Team successfully purchased the Intellectual Property (IP) of the KRONK brand. Bhatti, the Manchester-born and Metro Detroit-based boxing fanatic, is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and he admitted to Boxing Social that this was an opportunity that he could not refuse.
“Having had pictures of KRONK fighters on my bedroom wall as a kid, to get the opportunity to officially own the KRONK IP with my amazing team, is an absolute honour! We are all focused to execute upon on our vision, to bring KRONK back into the mainstream.”
So, what is it exactly that KRONK needs? The answer is simple. As ever, KRONK needs world champions, and it needs to eventually breed its own.
As Bhatti confirmed with Boxing Social, talks are already underway for KRONK to bring back some of the elite trainers from the KRONK lineage, to ensure that boxing fans around the world will once again be thrilled with the exciting KRONK style that Emanuel Steward made famous. Like Steward before them, Bhatti and Team are committed to first perfect the foundations before rushing to a return to the peak of the sport.
To maintain and instil the same morals into every member of the KRONK family, employees or fighters is to ensure that every decision is carried out in the manner that Emanuel Steward would wish for. A key move from Bhatti has been to keep the Steward family at the heart of the business. Marie has been named as a Founder Emeritus whilst Sylvia, one of two of Steward’s daughters, has been brought on board as a business consultant.
Though both Marie and Sylvia are family members by blood, John Lepak was an integral part of the KRONK family that saw it boom during its heyday and he is a critical addition at the core of the relaunch, believing the newly formed team, in which he acts as the Chief Operating Officer (COO), to be capable of doing his mentor, Steward, justice.
“Life has truly come full circle. Starting out as a 16-year-old kid running errands for Emanuel, training in the original gym, working alongside so many of our great champions, and eventually serving on the promotional team for some of the highest-grossing fights in boxing history, I truly thought I had reached the mountain top.
“This opportunity presents another mountain to climb. While no one will ever be able to duplicate what Emanuel did, I believe he left KRONK in a position where we can now grow the brand in areas he had dreamed of”
Meanwhile, Bhatti has recognised the importance of adapting with the times and looking towards the future as much as reminiscing of past successes, adding Amer Abdallah. A former undefeated world champion kickboxer and a respected figure in the combat sports world, Abdallah has played a pivotal role in the development of boxing in the Middle East, he assumes the position as a Managing Partner and Vice President of International Business, as KRONK looks towards global expansion and the opening of gyms overseas.
“The relaunch of the world’s most iconic brand in boxing gives me tremendous pride to be involved with. KRONK will be expanding around the globe and will continue to build upon its rich history and legacy.”
Yet, despite the exciting appointments, the names mean nothing without a plan of action and thankfully that is what Bhatti is most excited about.
When asked of what he and KRONK are working towards in the immediate future, Bhatti identified the current focal areas of his strategy, and much like any boxer kickstarting their career with victories against journeymen, explained that he is looking for ‘foundational wins’ before jumping the gun and competing at the world level.
“Our vision for KRONK’s resurgence is clear and methodical. We’re starting with foundational wins, like launching a revitalized website and introducing an updated merchandise line, to help re-establish our brand’s presence. We’re also actively exploring strategic licensing opportunities to unlock new revenue streams, and we’re reviewing prime locations in the heart of Detroit for our new flagship gym.
“These steps are critical for reintroducing KRONK to a new generation of fans and markets, building on our legacy while positioning the brand for growth in today’s landscape.”
Whilst Bhatti and the new KRONK team are infectiously ambitious, it is important to note that the road to the top is an arduous one and will likely take years of dedication and diligent decision-making. KRONK has the branding that could prove key to success, and if Bhatti and his new team can accomplish half of what Steward did then they will surely be proud of their restoration job.
Yet, as Steward famously stated, ‘those not fit do not survive’ in the world of boxing and KRONK will need to prove that they are more than just a name if they are to make the return that they are envisaging.
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