WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- The walls tell the story of boxing in Watertown. It's blood, sweat and tears, the lives of those who shed them.
"Boxing teaches respect, discipline and structure. A lot of these kids don't have structure. You've got kids into drugs and at-risk kids," Watertown Area Boxing Club President and head coach Johnny Pepe said.
"I've been coming here over seven years. It's really helped me. I haven't been in any fights on the street or anything like that and It teaches you to have respect for other fighters and other people in general," boxer Jon Jones said.
Jones is one of several club boxers fighting Friday night. It's a big card at the Watertown Fairgrounds. It's another poster that should be going up on the walls here. But as the club started training for the fights, the owners of this building, J.B. Wise Place, told them they had to go. The space is needed for new apartments.
"I was really afraid they were going to close down. After all these years. I started a long time ago. I wouldn't know what to do without boxing here," Jones said.
"It was very hard for me personally to know we had to move after nearly ten years here," Pepe said.
But in boxing, when you're against the ropes, it's the heart of a fighter that takes over. Pepe began reaching out. He was looking for anyone that could help. That led him to the old Starbuck Arena. The company that owns it, P & M Construction, offered a space.
"They're putting heat in. They're putting walls up. It's just amazing what Mike and Kathy Mitchell are doing at P&M Construction for us. My heart goes out to them and it really touched my heart. The community reached out to us when we needed them the most. It really touched my heart a lot and I hope we can give back to the community as much as they gave back to us," Pepe said.
"It's a huge relief for one. I couldn't imagine having a place like this to come by and train. I couldn't imagine not having a gym and actually I think it'll work out for the better," fighter Eric Garcia said.
But little do most know just how perfect this spot really is. Ray Robinson is considered by many the best fighter ever. He fought at Starbuck in 1939 and was so good a Watertown Daily Times writer penned him 'sweet as sugar'. That's how Robinson became 'Sugar' Ray Robinson.
The club hopes to soon put on a fight card inside Starbuck. Friday's fights will be at the Fairgrounds Arena and tickets are still available. You can get them at the door.