For those who are not familiar with Detroit’s famed boxer Jimmie Paul, let me take a moment to introduce him to you. He is one of the great lightweight world champions who hails from Detroit.
At the early age of 13, Paul discovered his passion for boxing. He began training with Jack Farmer at Lasky Recreation Center two years later. Two weeks into training, he won a Junior Olympic Tournament. A year later he began working with the famous trainer, Emanuel Steward from Kronk’s Gym.
After graduating from Pershing High School, Paul began what would become a successful amateur boxing career. Known as “The Ringmaster” he was the No. 1 boxer in his division on the 1980 Olympic team. However, he and his team never competed due to the United States boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.
But Paul went on to win an International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) world lightweight title in 1985. He finished with a professional record of 33-6 with 24 KOs. The former IBF champion was at one point the No. 4 best fighter pound for pound in all weight classes.
Paul retired in 1999 and ventured into real estate. In 2014, he opened the Jimmie Paul’s Hands on Boxing Gym located on E. Seven Mile Road. He wanted to give back to his city as well as the boxing game. He also wanted to help inner city children who share the same dream as he did as a young teen. He currently has 32 amateurs and 12 professional boxers who compete around the world. He is also training one of Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns’ sons, Ronald Hearns.
There is free open gym on Tuesdays where anyone can come and watch the boxers work out. Boys and girls ages 9 and up can join Jimmie Paul’s Hands on Boxing Gym for $25 a month.
Jimmie Paul’s Hand On Gym will be showcasing his fighters at the MotorCity Boxing Fight Night. The event takes place this Friday, August 28, at Decarlo’s Banquet and Convention Center located on E. Ten Mile Road in Warren. There will be five amateurs and five professional boxers competing, all from Jimmie Paul’s Hand’s On Boxing Gym. Doors open at 7 pm and fights start at 8 pm. General admission tickets are $45, VIP tickets are $75 and executive tickets are $100. Text 21777 and type the word FIGHT to purchase tickets or pick them up at Jimmie Paul’s Hands On Boxing Gym located at 5620 E. Seven Mile Road in Detroit.
For more information, call 313.598.4619 or email teamhandson@gmail.com.
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