Muhammad Ali's Training Camp or "Fighter's Heaven" was a compound and training facility in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania built by former professional boxer and heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali. Ali trained in the facility preparing for numerous fights, such as Rumble in the Jungle in 1974, and Thrilla in Manila in 1975.
| Muhammad Ali's Training Camp | |
|---|---|
| Location | 58 Sculps Hill Rd, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°38′14.4″N 76°05′41.8″W / 40.637333°N 76.094944°W |
| Area | 5-6 acres |
| Founded | c. 1972 |
| Built for | Muhammad Ali |
| Owner | Mike Madden |
| Website | http://fightersheaven.com/ |
History
edit1980s-90s
editAfter Ali's retirement from the ring, he sold the camp to George Dillman in 1997.[1]
Present day
editFollowing Ali's death on June 3, 2016, Dillman reopened the compound to the public, including the gym, kitchen, and the cabins. It was then sold to Mike Madden, the son of John Madden, in July 2016.[2]
Inside the compound
editAfter Ali bought the land in 1972, he began to build the cabins by cutting down trees, and getting logs. The compound included a visitors cabin, a gym, a dining hall, a mosque, and his family house. It also included a five stall barn for his horses and donkey.[3] The compound included boulders that showed the painted names of boxing legends, friends, and opponents such as Sonny Liston, Joe Louis, Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee, and Joe Frazier.[citation needed] Elvis Presley would visit the training camp as well.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Muhammad Ali's old training camp sold".
- ^ "Ali's training camp sold to John Madden's son". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
- ^ "Guernsey's - the unique at auction". www.guernseys.com. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
- ^ "Muhammad Ali Talks About His Relationship With Elvis!". Boxing News 24. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-08.