Newsletter – Volume #11
Fighter’s Heaven had a Great 2024!
Fighter’s Heaven had an awesome year! Overall attendance increased by 30% and the number of youth groups who participated in the educational program saw a 50% jump! Fighter’s Heaven is getting more and more visitors not only from around the country but around the world!
The Camp attracts visitors/tourists from various backgrounds and age groups! From school age to retired, people travel to see where the one and only Muhammad Ali trained for some of his biggest fights! The Camp blends history, learning, and inspiration into an unforgettable
experience.
We look forward to an even better 2025! We are open by appointment year round!
50th Anniversary of “The Rumble in the Jungle”
Boxing enthusiasts from throughout the mid-Atlantic region packed the gym at Muhammad Ali’s Fighter’s Heaven training camp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Ali-Foreman heavyweight championship bout. All proceeds from the event went to St. Joseph Center for Special Learning.
The crowd at this sold-out event relived the epic fight through the eyes and voices of a panel of experts, including former heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney; Boxing Hall of Fame writers Jerry Izenberg and Ron Borges; and veteran boxing writer and historian Don Majeski. Izenberg and Majeski covered the 1974 fight, live in Zaire. The lively panel discussion was moderated by Fighter’s Heaven owner Mike Madden and was followed by a showing of the Academy Award winning documentary When We Were Kings, which provides a detailed look at not only the fight itself, but the build up and aftermath.
The afternoon’s events included a meet-and greet reception, allowing guests to interact with the panelists while sharing boxing stories and warm memories of previous visits to Fighter’s Heaven during it’s heyday as the center of Ali’s training efforts for most of his bouts.
St. Joseph Center for Special Learning Donation
Fighter’s Heaven presented a check for $6,100 to St. Joseph Center for Special Learning. The money was raised from the “Rumble in the Jungle” 50th celebration in October! We want to thank everyone who supported the event and helped make this presentation possible. Without You, this donation doesn’t happen!
Launch of “Fighter’s Heaven in Art” Collaboration
A press conference was held at Fighter’s Heaven to announce the official launch of an exciting new art collaboration about Muhammad Ali and his Deer Lake Training Camp. The project is a collaboration between Muhammad Ali’s daughter Khaliah Ali and British artist Mark Dickens, who were both present for the event.
The mixed media art project is called “Fighter’s Heaven in Art: The Life and Legacy of Muhammad Ali” and will feature 16 individual pieces, with one to be sold for charity. Also collaborating on the project is photographer Jeff Julian, whose photographs of Ali and the camp will be used in Dickens artwork. Along with paint, fabric and photographs, the artwork will also feature handwritten quotes from people who knew or were inspired by Ali, including fighters, trainers, journalists, celebrities and others.
Dickens is an internationally recognized fine artist who lives in Abu Dhabi. He was excited to make his first visit to Fighter’s Heaven. He felt it was important to soak in its history and feel the energy of this historic site as he begins work on this project. “It can be quite overwhelming, which I want to happen, because I want to put all this feeling into the work,” said Dickens.
Khaliah Ali said the project will allow her father to be seen in a way he hasn’t been before. “This place was a huge part of his life. He was very proud of this camp. I spent a lot of my childhood here and some of the most vivid and best memories are connected to this place. I never walk in here without feeling my father’s presence,” Khaliah said.
Muhammad Ali Center Humanitarian Awards
General Manager Mick Stefanek and photographer Jeff Julian recently attended the 2024 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in Louisville as representatives of Fighter’s Heaven. They spent several days in Louisville meeting with the wonderful staff at the Ali Center and exploring various Ali historical sites throughout the city. Jeff has worked with the Ali Center on various projects since its very beginning, but it was Mick’s first visit to the Ali Center.
Curation and Collections managers Bess Goldy and Amelia McGrath gave us an insiders tour of the facility. We were able to meet the new Ali Center President & CEO DeVone Holt and even got a chance to meet and talk with Muhammad’s wife Lonnie. Everyone we talked to was impressed with the work being done at Fighter’s Heaven in promoting Ali’s legacy, especially with the younger generations.
The Humanitarian Awards ceremony was fantastic! In addition to high-profile names being honored for their humanitarian work (Shaquille O’Neal, Nile Rodgers, Bryon Stevenson and Dawn Gee), six young people under 30 years of age and from all over the world were also honored for making positive changes in the world. The stories of this new generation of social changemakers were very impressive and inspiring.
Thanks to everyone on the Ali Center staff for a great weekend!
CH6 ABC Action News – “One Tank Trips”
Philadelphia’s 6ABC Action News aired the segment about Fighter’s Heaven for their newest “One Tank Trips” feature, which they filmed in late August.
New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream and Perth Amboy PAL
A group from New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream and Perth Amboy PAL spent a day exploring Fighter’s Heaven this summer. Coach Jackie Atkins, founder and President of New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream, uses the discipline and focus of boxing to engage at-risk youth, helping them navigate today’s challenges. Her mission is to empower these young individuals to become CHAMPIONS of life, promoting healthy, productive lifestyles both in and out of the ring.
Jackie is highly respected in both the boxing community and the realm of public service. She has been featured on Good Morning America, NJ.com Jersey Changemakers, and NBC Storytellers and has been honored by numerous organizations for her work with youth.
The group was moved learning about the stories of Ali’s life and career and gained a deeper appreciation for Ali’s impact, both in and out of the ring.
Hands Across Philadelphia / Youth Groups Visit
Nicole Ross of “Hands Across Philadelphia” brought a busload of three different groups from the Philadelphia area to spend a day touring Fighter’s Heaven.
The groups included the Grays Ferry Boxing Club, the AYM Boxing Lab, and the Youth Foundation. It was another great day at the Camp for having kids learning about Muhammad Ali! The youth groups had fun exploring the Camp and enjoying a pizza lunch.
Tree & Plaque Honoring Lynda Pollack Schiffer
It’s been one year since the passing of Lynda Pollack Schiffer. In her honor, a tree was planted and a plaque created. From the beginning, Lynda was at the Camp on weekends sharing stories, giving tours and answering questions. It’s often that returning visitors ask about her
and talk about what a joy it was to meet her.
Her father, Bernie Pollack, sold Ali some land to build his camp after training on the Pollack Mink Farm in Deer Lake. Bernie was known as “The Man with the Plan and the Land” for Ali’s training camp.
Lynda was a huge supporter and tremendous help for everything that has been done at Fighter’s Heaven.
NYPD Brooklyn Youth Division’s Fight for Change Academy
The NYPD Brooklyn Youth Strategies Division’s Fight for Change Boxing Academy recently visited Fighters Heaven. These young, aspiring boxers had the opportunity to experience the training camp of the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali. They saw where he slept, ate, prayed, and trained. The trip was arranged by Ali’s daughter Khaliah and her husband Jason Flom. Before they left, they got an encouraging phone call from Jason and Khaliah.
“Breakfast with Santa” Charity Event
This year’s 4th annual Breakfast with Santa was a knockout! We appreciate everyone who supported this event! It was held to benefit Servants To All. Without all of the continued public support, these types of events couldn’t be held to benefit our local communities! This year, your support allows Servants to All to receive a donation of over $2,000!
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