On August 1, the hallowed red and gold walls of the Kronk Boxing Community Center echoed with the sounds of gloves snapping, shoes sliding, and laughter rising. But beyond the flurry of jabs and footwork, something deeper was unfolding.
World-renowned boxing trainer and former heavyweight contender Johnathon Banks, a proud son of Detroit and product of the legendary Kronk gym, returned home to host a free, one-day youth boxing camp that combined athletic instruction with powerful life lessons. Dozens of local boys and girls, many stepping into the ring for the first time, were trained in boxing techniques, and simultaneously, they were mentored, seen, and inspired.
“I came up through Kronk. I know what this gym gave to me and I’m just trying to give that back,” said Banks. “As long as I’m breathing, I’ll keep giving back to this city.”
Held at ESCOT (Emanuel Steward’s Champions of Tomorrow) inside the historic Kronk facility, the event was a collaboration between Banks and Tunnel Vision Network (TVN), a Detroit-based media platform that trains young professionals in journalism, podcasting, and sports production. The camp was centered on boxing, but it also included concepts of building champions in and out of the ring.
Campers, ages 8 to 18, rotated through stations focused on shadowboxing, pad work, and footwork drills. But between the punches came lessons in discipline, respect, and leadership – values that have shaped Detroit’s boxing culture for generations.
“This wasn’t just a camp,” said a representative from TVN. “It was a reminder that the legacy of Kronk isn’t just history – it’s still alive, still fighting, still building champions.”
Banks, who rose to international prominence under the guidance of the late, great Emanuel Steward, is now considered one of the top trainers in the sport. But despite his global accolades, his mission remains deeply local. He says his return to Kronk is not a homecoming, but a responsibility. He also announced that he’ll be launching a fall youth boxing series, expanding the impact even further.
And he made sure that every young person had the chance to participate at no cost. Thanks to private donors and community sponsors like Alliance Prints, every camper received free boxing gloves, meals, and a custom T-shirt, along with a certificate of completion to mark their achievement.
“This gave my son so much confidence,” said one parent. “You could see it in all the kids –they felt like they mattered, like someone believed in them.”
The impact was immediate. For some, it was their first time wearing gloves. For others, it was their first time feeling like they belonged. And Banks isn’t stopping here.
At the close of the event, he announced plans for a fall youth boxing series, promising to continue the momentum and expand access to quality training, mentorship, and community support for Detroit youth.
“It’s easy to feel forgotten in this city,” one mentor shared. “But today, these kids knew someone came back for them. That matters.”
For the organizers, the day was about more than nostalgia or even boxing. It was about transformation. It was about proving that when community leaders invest in the next generation, entire neighborhoods begin to rise.
Moments like these serve as a powerful reminder that the city relies heavily on its past to build upon its future, both inside the ring and out of it.
To see photos and coverage from the camp, visit thetvn.com.
About Post Author
