Metro Boxing Club Gives Muchenberger New Life

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) For years, the Muchenberger building in St. Joseph served as a youth center.

Now it is getting back to its old form.

The St. Joseph Metro Boxing Club bought the building from the city, and they moved into it in October.

Boxing coach Jason Redmond says the transition from the club's old location on St. Joe Avenue was relatively easy.

"We came in, did some basic clean up, and installed our equipment and just a little TLC," Redmond said. "We were able to make a very nice, functioning boxing gym out of it."

Just two months into its new home, the Metro Boxing Club is hosting its first big event Saturday.

The Missouri State Silver Gloves Tournament, featuring 8-15 year-old fighters, comes to St. Joe bringing boxers in from all over looking to take one step closer to the national championships.

"This is my first year actually boxing," nine-year-old boxer Jaden Bernard said, "but I've been training for a long time, since I've been three."

"It's huge for us to be able to have it here," Redmond said. "We just got here in October, and to have this be our first show it just really solidifies that we're here and we're bringing some attention to the sport of boxing and what we have to offer kids."

The kids getting opportunities at the old Muchenberger Center are making the most of them. Elijah Green, Connor Bielby and Jake Hatfield are defending national champs, and Chris Gann has made the finals in two of the last three years.

"We've got some national-level fighters that are right here in St. Joe that box out of here that will be fighting to go on to represent Missouri at the regional tournament," Redmond said. "And hopefully they'll be able to get back to nationals and get another national championship."

The Missouri State Silver Gloves Championships begin at 5pm Saturday at the rejuvenated Muchenberger Center.