www.BXTimes.com BRONX WEEKLY August 2, 2020 2
GoFundMe launched for MP Boxing Club
Owner Aaron Davis starts campaign to help pay trainers during COVID-19
BY JASON COHEN
For more than four decades, the
Morris Park Boxing Club has been a
staple in the community. But the business
has been shuttered since March
due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While owner Aaron Davis is doing
okay fi nancially, he recently
launched a GoFundMe campaign to
help raise money for his trainers. So
far, donors have given $265 toward the
cause with an end goal of $100,000.
Davis, 53, a former welterweight
champion, has run the gym for six
years. He told the Bronx Times when
the pandemic arrived he envisioned
being closed but never for this long.
Fortunately, he has been able to
keep the place afl oat and continue
to pay rent. Davis’ concern is the
trainers and his optimistic view
may change if he isn’t open in a few
months.
“If I have to go into my savings
that’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
“I don’t want to be in the red.”
Morris Park Boxing Club at 644
Morris Park has been around for 42
years, trained famed boxers, including
Davis and Lou Del Valle and
burned down in 2009.
Sharice Pegram, co-founder of
a business consulting group called
the Now Project, helped set up the
GoFundMe. Pegram explained that
since Governor Andrew Cuomo has
given no indication when gyms can
reopen, she felt it was important that
the Boxing Club get as much fi nancial
assistance as possible.
“What happens if the gym can’t
open for another six months?” Pegram
said.
Davis is much more of a glass half
full kind of guy and feels things will
resume in a few weeks. He only received
$4,000 from the federal government
through the Paycheck Protection
Program loan and just applied
for small business loan from the city.
While his wife urged him to stay
home and quarantine, Davis wanted
to be there for the fi ghters. The former
champ waived the monthly membership
fees for the boys but has been
training a few of them three days a
week in Pelham Bay Park at no cost.
Even if it’s in a park, he’s doing the
best to prepare them for their bouts.
“There’s nothing like being in the
gym,” Davis said. A GoFundMe was launched for the MP Boxing Club. Photo by Jason Cohen
TOP $ PAID
FOR JUDAICA
COLLECTIBLES
HOUSE
CALLS
SAME SAME DAY
DAY
SERVICE
SERVICE
AVAILABLE
AVAILABLE
HOUSE
CALLS
SERVING BRONX
AND THE ENTIRE
TRI-STATE AREA
ANTIQUES AND ESTATE BUYERS
WE PAY $ CASH $ FOR
ALL GOLD, GOLD & STERLING SILVER
COSTUME JEWELRY, ALL COINS, PAPER
MONEY & STAMP COLLECTIONS
ALL GOLD...BROKEN OR NOT
PRE- 1960 FURNITURE, CLOCKS & WATCHES
(WORKING OR NOT) TIFFANY,
BACCARAT, LALIQUE
The List is Endless
YERS
SEE OUR AD IN THE SUNDAY POST
ASK FOR CHRISTOPHER
www.AntiqueAndEstateBuyers.com
for Antique
Q
ES
MILITARY
Collections Wanted
Swords, Knives,
Helmets, etc.
ANTIQUES AND ESTATE BUYERS
We buy anything old. One piece or house full.
WILL TRAVEL. WE MAKE HOUSE CALLS.
FREE
Estimate
WILL TRAVEL
ENTIRE TRI-STATE
THE LATEST BRONX SPORTS SCORES
TOP BRONX NEWS STORIES
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD - YOUR NEWS®
The Bronx Times On-Line
Your world is 24/7... NOW so are we.
CLASSIFIEDS FOR THE BRONX
www.bxtimes.com
/www.bxtimes.com
/www.BXTimes.com
/www.BXTimes.com
/www.AntiqueAndEstateBuyers.com
/www.BXTimes.com
/www.BXTimes.com
/www.AntiqueAndEstateBuyers.com
/www.bxtimes.com