Current IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis will be at Muhammad Ali’s old training camp on Saturday, June 28.
“Boots” is headed to Fighter’s Heaven, Ali’s old Deer Lake quarters – which has been lovingly restored by Mike Madden – on a day dedicated to Philadelphia’s boxing history.
The 27-year-old will be presented with a Briscoe Award by Philly Boxing History – run by John DiSanto – as the Philadelphia Fighter of the Year for 2024, with other Philly luminaries including Tim Witherspoon, Nate Miller and Ivan Robinson set to attend.
The Tribute to Philly Boxing takes place on Saturday, June 28, as part of the camp’s tribute series, honoring boxing’s rich history.
Other participants from the world of Philadelphia boxing include former state boxing commissioner George Bochetto, Hall of Fame fight promoter J Russell Peltz, former state athletic commissioner Greg Sirb, Hall of Fame boxing writer Bernard Fernandez, Hall of Fame boxing writer and former editor-in-chief of Ring magazine Nigel Collins.
All proceeds from the event will go towards two non-profits, the Joe Hand Boxing Gym and Philly Boxing History, the latter of which is trying to raise funds for a headstone for the unmarked grave of former contender Gil Turner.
The Philly boxing day will include presentations, a memorabilia display, a lunch, and Nate Miller will be playing his jazz guitar.
Fighter’s Heaven, where Ali trained in the 1970’s has earned recognition as both a Pennsylvania and National Historic Landmark.
Tickets for the day cost $60.
“It’s a great place,” DiSanto told BoxingScene. “It does not disappoint… It’s all still there. It’s a bigger footprint than I thought it was, with big hills and the cabins where the sparring partners used to live… It’s like an old historical site but for boxing, and you don’t get bigger or better than Ali. It’s a really fun place and it’s well preserved. When you see the names of heavyweight champions like Jack Johnson and Rocky Marciano painted on the rocks, it’s worth the drive. It’s amazing.”