The Augusta Boxing Club has a long tradition as a place where troubled youths could learn sportsmanship and develop into talented boxers, and now the Georgia Historical Society has designated the club's Walton Way Gym a Georgia Historic Site.
Professional boxer Ray “Stingray” Whitfield, who began his career at the club and now serves as a director there, and Lenny Pooley, chairman of the club's board of directors, made the announcement at a recent Augusta committee meeting.
The monument will be placed in front of the club, located at 1929 Walton Way. Pulley told the committee he would like the city to be one of the sponsors listed on the monument. Another sponsor is FPL Foods, which he said has supplied food to the club for many years.
more:Jack in the Box is opening 15 new fast-food restaurants in Georgia. Here's what you need to know.
“The boxing club has had a long-standing relationship with the city so we thought it would be appropriate to have the city's name on the plaque as well,” Mr Pooley said.
The club is covering the $2,400 signage and maintenance costs, so there is no cost to the city.
The club was founded in 1976 by Tom Moraetes, a probation officer for Augusta's juvenile court, who started the club in his garage, according to the club's website. In 2011, the club was transferred to the Augusta Parks and Recreation Department and is now a non-profit organization.
“The club uses boxing to pull troubled youth off the streets and into a structured environment where they build self-confidence, discipline, instill a strong work ethic and learn to function together as a team,” the website states.
