Our History

My father, Clarence Griffin, bought former bantamweight champion, Johnny Coulon’s, boxing gym at 5411 East 63rd Street and renamed it, “Windy City Boxing Gym.” At that time, Muhammad Ali was living in Hyde Park and would train at our gym while he was in town. My dad and Ali formed a relationship and we were invited to his home and camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. Between the ages of five and thirteen, I spent a great deal of time with Ali until my father, Clarence, passed away. I quit boxing and lived life as a regular teenager.

Clarence Griffen training with Muhammad Ali.

However, I made the decision to come back to boxing as a 21 year old and proceed to make the United States Olympic Boxing Team in 1992. I then became a professional boxer and happened to be fighting in Louisville during the time of Ali’s mother’s death. He invited me to his home and I had a chance to reminisce with Ali. Later in my career, Ali’s son-in-law was promoting a fight. I was the main event and Ali attended my press conference.

Today, my goal is to bring boxing back to a state of prominence in Chicago, similar to how it was in the 1920’s and 1930’s. My experience as both a professional and amateur boxer allows me the opportunity to share my extensive knowledge with all ages.

My career record achievements:

• 2006 United States Boxing Association Light Heavyweight Title
• 1997 WBC Light Heavyweight Champion
• 1996 WBU Light Heavyweight Champion
• 1994 North American Boxing Federation
• 1993 United States Amateur Boxing Champion
• 1992-1993 Member, United States Olympic Boxing Team, Barcelona, Spain
• 1992 Canadian Amateur Boxing Champion