South Beach is once again ready to be the center of the boxing world as the legendary 5th Street Gym is ready to re-open its doors 17 years after the original closed down. The original 5th street gym opened in 1950 by the late Chris Dundee and his brother Angelo Dundee who was most famous for creating a number of champions most notably Muhammad Ali. At 89 years of age the still spry Angelo is bringing back the 5th Street but this time with a group of young gentlemen who will be sure to carry his legacy for future generations. The grand opening event will be an A list private by invitation only event..
Taking place on Thursday September 23rd from 7:00PM- 10:00PM the red carpet grand opening of the 5th Street Gym will feature city officials, small presentation, cocktails sponsored by Absolut Vodka and delicious bites along with sounds by DJ Joe Dert and Nicole Henry. The event will also bring together a special group of individuals who have been trained, inspired, or touched by the magic of the original 5th Street Gym. Guests confirmed for the ribbon cutting will be Angelo Dundee along three time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, “The Fight Dr.” Ferdie Pacheco, Miami Dolphin Great Dan Marino, world famous boxing promoter Don King, trainer Emmanuel Stewart, Lou Duva, Bert Sugar, former heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas, George Chuvalo, Jerry Cooney, Marc Randazzo, Ed Brophy of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Desmond Howard, and various others.
Angelo Dundee was inspired to open the 5th Street Gym again when he struck up a relationship with a group of young energetic boxing enthusiasts to include Matthew Baiamonte. The group along with “Matt”, a Dundee Protégé and self proclaimed “gym rat” decided to honor the sport and a great mentor (Dundee) by bringing the gym back to its iconic original location. The project became a reality via the collaboration and dynamic business partners who will open this location. Chicago native Dino Spencer (a boxing and MMA practitioner) who received tutelage under world famous boxing trainer Freddie Roach along with Tom Tsatas (also from Chicago) joined forces with Matt. Tsatas will be known as the new “Chris Dundee” of the gym. Dundee along with his son Jimmy and his other “right hand” Mark Grismer knew that they selected the right partners to move forward with plans to bring the 5th Street Gym back to its legendary roots.
South Beach was once known for producing and training some of the best boxers in the world. Before the night clubs and the sexy strip we know now as “South Beach” there stood the original 5th Street Gym. This run down gym so mythological and legendary it was nicknamed “OZ”. Chris Dundee or the “Wizard of Oz” and Angelo Dundee or known as the “Prince of Oz” trained countless world boxing champions to include Carmen Basilio, Sugar Ray Leonard, Willie Pastrano, and of course “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali. Celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Jackie Gleason, Joe Louis, and others would make their way to Miami just to touch the magic that was housed inside the walls of the 5th Street Gym.
The new 5th Street Gym plans to bring back the same teachings in boxing that were taught by Angelo Dundee as well as offer MMA training and kickboxing classes. Matthew Baiamonte and Dino Spencer will head up the training programs under the guidance of Angelo Dundee. Matt, Dino, Tom and Dundee are ready to begin their journey back on the yellow brick road back to OZ.
The red carpet soiree for the 5th Street Gym will place on Thursday September 23rd from 7:00PM- 10:00PM and is not open to the public. For information please contact: lmsantana@creativasgroup.com or pitchInkpr@aol.com. **Charity partners for this event include: Neat Stuff for Kids and National Parkinson Foundation. Proceeds for items sold at event to include pieces by Artist Raymond Warsager will benefit both organizations. ** For more information: www.neatstuffhelpskids.org www.parkinson.org.
Sponsors and promotional partners include: PitchInk PR, International Boxing Hall of Fame, Creativas Group Public Relations, Title Sports Drink, Can I Have Your Attention Advertising & Branding, Winning Boxing and Absolut Vodka. For sponsorship please contact Creativas Group PR.
Creativas Group Inc. provides public relations and marketing counsel to South Florida-based businesses, nationally recognized special events and leading non-profit organizations. For more information, please log onto www.creativasgroup.com or email info@creativasgroup.com. Photography will not be allowed inside the venue at this event but will be at red carpet. Interviews will be available by request only.