Our Day At Gleason’s Gym With Gabriel Bracero

By: Boxing Writer Frank Rivera

Photos By: Frank Rivera/Real Combat Media

 

On January 12th we paid a visit to  Gabriel “Tito” Bracero at The World Famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, NY to watch him train for his upcoming fight. As a fan of boxing it was a truly an honor and a privilege to have Gabriel Bracero invite us down to visit such an historical place. Gleason’s Gym has been around since 1937 and was founded by Peter Gagliardi who later changed his name to Bobby Gleason. The Gleason’s Gym has a deep root in New York City boxing, as it is the oldest gym in New York City.

As a boxing fan, you read and heard so much about Gleason’s Gym and its long history in boxing.  As we arrived at Gleason’s Gym and walked up the stairs to the gym, it met and exceeded our expectation, it felt as if you stepped back in time. The best way that I can describe my feelings, is when I made my first trip as an adult to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. I felt like a kid again, walking around taking pictures of all the rings, equipment, banners, lockers, fighters training and the many legendary photos of great fighters that once fought.

Gleason’s Gym had many great fighters walk through its doors, the list of champions the gym has produced is staggering. Fighters who have trained at Gleason’s include Jake LaMottaRoberto Duran, Benny ParetGerry Cooney, and Mike Tyson. The Great Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) also trained at Gleason’s Gym before his first title fight against Sonny Liston. Gleason’s has had other World Champions use it’s gym for training when they were away from home, such as Vito Antuofermo, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Saoul Mamby, Wilfred Benitez, Pipino Cuevas, Billy Costello, Mike McCallum, Hector Camacho, Julio Cesar Chavez, Edwin Rosario, Jose Luis Ramirez, Thomas Hearns, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks and Barry McGuigan are among the champions who have trained at Gleason’s.

 

Gleason’s Gym is home to Gabriel Bracero, it is where he trains out of for his upcoming fight against DeMarcus Corley on Jan 21, 2012.  We watched Gabriel train alongside his trainer Tommy Gallagher, as they prepared for the orthodox veteran DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley. Gabriel is feeling very confident going into the fight, he and Tommy feel that they were able to correct some of the mistakes he made in his previous fight against Daniel Sostre.

Bracero looked in great shape, strong  very sharp in sparring and focused on what needs to be done to be successful on Jan 21st. Tommy really likes Bracero chances against Chop Chop and likes the style matchup between Corley and Bracero. Tommy knows that Corley will give Bracero a tough fight and a good test but feels that Gabriel can handle the challenge. Bracero is very confident and knows that a win and a solid performance against Corley on Jan 21st, would only mean bigger opportunities for him.

We are going to see a different Gabriel “Tito” Bracero on Jan 21 from what we saw in his last fight when he won his  NABF Light Welterweight Title.  A more focused, determined and hungry  Gabriel Bracero. The dedication and hard work he is showing in training will only prove positive in the ring come Saturday night. I believe Gabriel “Tito” Bracero will win by a unanimous decision.

Realcombatmedia would like to thank everyone at Gleason’s Gym for their hospitality and wishes Gabriel “Tito” Bracero and Tommy Gallagher the best on Jan 21, 2012.

Gabriel Bracero will be fighting at the Roseland Ballroom 239 West 52nd St, NYC. For ticket information you can contact TICKETMASTER at 1-800-745-3000 or at TICKETMASTER.COM

For more information on GLEASON’S GYM, please visit  gleasonsgym.net

 

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