The Ali Camp
(Please see Part II as well)
As you may have noticed, I have not posted on the forum in several days. I’ve been away at training camp with some fighters and there is limited Internet access. I’ve driven home for the weekend however so I will begin catching up with everyone over the next two days (before I return to camp).
We’ve been away training at the old Muhammad Ali gym in Deer Lake. The video below shows some old footage of Ali at the camp.
It’s been an amazing experience to live and train at Ali’s old camp. The cabin-style gym opened in 1972. Ali set up shop here in the woods when rebounding from his loss to Joe Frazier. He then trained there for several notable fights.
Back in the 1970’s, Ali often attracted famous celebrities such as Michael Jackson (the entire Jackson 5) and even Elvis Presley. Everyone wanted a chance to see Ali in action. Years later, I’m amazed to be coaching in the very gym where he trained.
Below are a few pictures that I snapped last week.
Here is the gym itself:
Below are the cabins where Ali’s sparring partners would sleep (where we’ve also stayed):
Here is a painting that covers an entire wall behind the ring:
It is amazing to be holding the mitts and coaching in the very gym where Ali trained. I am still in awe over the entire situation.
All around the gym, there are large rocks with the names of fighters that Ali respected and admired. I did not get pictures of each rock, but I did snap a few of the more notable names.
You can’t help but want to push yourself when surrounded by such an environment. A few days ago, I led a pack of fighters along the same route that Ali was known to run. There are some absolutely brutal hills along the course. Even though I’m just the trainer and not one of the fighters preparing to fight, I couldn’t help but want to push the pace for no other reason than the fact that Ali and several others had run the exact roads.
It was quite the experience to be out running at the crack of dawn, just like the champions who were there over 30 years ago. I myself rarely run on my own at this point in my life, but I felt like an excited kid as I marveled at the historic scenery throughout the run.
It’s been an awesome experience.
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Ross,
Tremendous pictures and an awe inspiring experience i’m sure. Who were the fighters you were working with up there?
ryan
The hill that leads to the camp from Route 61 is a bear! Great training area for sure. Didn’t realize it was still open.
Mark – It isn’t actually open for general training throughout the year. The camp had to be set up (ex. ring was brought in, etc). It is too bad that the place isn’t open as some kind of historic landmark.
That is so cool Ross. I am happy for you.
Looks like an interesting spot to train. Nice and calm without any distractions, plus there’s nothing better than running in the woods.
I can definitely relate to the feeling you get when you follow someone’s footsteps. Must have been a great experience!
Totally fascinating.
Thanks for posting these details.
The rocks are awesome.
Really cool to put names of other fighters you respect around your training camp.
I agree, nothing quite like running in the wilderness.
Really cool pics, Ross.
Don’t know if you care about stuff like this, but there’s a website using uncredited images of you in one of their articles- http://www.wannabebig.com/training/50-more-things-ive-learned/
Hey Ross , I think its great that you are doing some training up there. I grew up about fifteen min away from Deer Lake and for a long time nothing was going on there. It is a sweet place to check out. There are alot of great trails in that area and around it
Thanx for the write-up and pictures, Ross! Am not much of a boxer, but can completely understand wanting to push yourself when the spirits of past champions run beside you!
I have respect for anyone, who comes this far on their chosen path!
Hey Ross…you are so correct about the atmosphere! I was priviledged to photograph Ali @ Deer Lake in the 1980’s and then we traveled into Philadelphia where Muhammad ALi was a recipient to – Keys to the City, in June 1980… a little known event.
Ross, I had the good fortune to attend 13 Ali fights and exhibitions, countless promotions & public appearances where I witnessed Ali’s Rise to the Top. Now in my 36th year I continue to photograph and write of these experiences; admittedly an amazing anthology features hundreds of photos…
It would be great to hear from you!
[...] mentioned in a previous entry (see Part I for more pictures), I have been away at training camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania at the old [...]
Wow what an experience it must have been.
Thanks for sharing the pics with us Ross.
Cheers
David
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