Newsletter – Volume #14

Remembering & Honoring Muhammad Ali

Photographs by Jeff Julian

June 3rd marks the tenth anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing. Ten years ago the world lost one of the 20th Century’s most charismatic, magnetic, controversial, inspirational, and beloved personalities. This summer also marks the tenth anniversary of Mike Madden purchasing this historic training camp from former owner karate master George Dillman.

When Mike bought Fighter’s Heaven shortly after the Champ’s passing, he had no initial, specific plan for the camp other than to preserve it for future generations. He ultimately decided to restore the camp back to the way it looked when Ali trained here the 1970’s. The various buildings that made up the training camp were in need of some help. Amish craftsmen were brought in to do the work. The log buildings were repaired, re-chinked, and restored. New heating and air conditioning was installed in the buildings. New roofs were installed on all the buildings. The small individual cabins got a makeover with new furniture and new, modern bathrooms.

After about a year of that work being done, the next step was to recreate the “look” of the camp when Ali was training there. Photographs and videos were displayed and installed throughout various buildings. After studying countless photographs from that time period, we went about procuring furniture and various items, large and small, from auctions, antique stores, flea markets, and private individuals. From the positive comments we continue to get from visitors, it seems we have accomplished our goals. It is surprising how many visitors say they can actually feel Ali’s presence here as they tour this historic site.

So far, Fighter’s Heaven has been visited by six of Ali’s nine children as well as several of his grandchildren. They all have been grateful and impressed with the restoration that’s been done. Since being restored, we have had visits by celebrities such as Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Basketball Hall of Famer Karl Malone, UFC and WWE champion Ronda Rousey, Pulitzer Prize winning author and Ali biographer Jonathan Eig, former NFL quarterback Chad Henne, and many well-known writers, journalists, and photographers. Heavyweight champions and former Ali sparring partners Larry Holmes and Tim Witherspoon have visited often, as have many other famous boxers.

Several documentaries have been filmed here in recent years, including ones by Ken Burns, HBO (produced by LeBron James), NFL Films, PBS, and other independent documentaries. Various regional TV stations have filmed stories about Fighter’s Heaven. Many magazines and newspapers have written pieces on the work being done here.

One of Mike Madden’s main goals here is to keep Muhammad’s legacy alive. Fighter’s Heaven mission statement is: “through the preservation and restoration of the Training Camp in Deer Lake, PA, create a destination that will, for decades to come, remind some and educate others, about the remarkable and inspirational life of Muhammad Ali.”

Mike is especially interested in the younger generation learning about Ali’s life, and many school and youth groups from both local and surrounding states have visited and toured the site. Some schools integrate their own curriculums about Ali with these visits. We have also initiated our own educational programs for various school and youth group visits.

There is no charge to tour Fighter’s Heaven, but we do accept donations. These donations, as well as the sale of t-shirts and sweatshirts, all go to the following charities: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY, and Avenues, a local organization that works for individuals with disabilities. We also contribute to and support other local community organizations in the area.

Fighter’s Heaven has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Historic Landmark and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We are also thrilled to be recognized by the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville as an important ally in preserving Ali’s legacy. We have received visitors from all across this country as well as visitors from around the world. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors as word continues to spread about this unique and historic place.

We are now open for the summer season on Saturdays and Sundays through October, or open daily and year-round by appointment.