Polk Street Gym History
Simon Redmond
I arrived in San Francisco in ’96 from Dublin Ireland at the age of 23. While exploring the city I came across a boxing gym in the Mission, now closed, called Granellis. Having never actually boxed myself, but having always been an avid fan, I joined up to try it out. I was instantly hooked!
While training and fighting out of Granellis, under Vajra Granelli, I met my friend, future boxing trainer and business partner;) Paul Wade – another Irishman.
When Paul switched from fighting to training boxers, and moved from Granellis to Worlds Gym to start up a boxing program there, I moved with him.
There were some great years there! Ben Bautista brought his fighters over from the Straight Forward Club to spar, Arturo Gaustoleum the founder for Frisco Boxing started his team there, we even had Floyd Mayweather Jr. come and do a press conference and public workout to hype his world title defense against Jesus Chavez in the Civic Center in 2001.
Great training, great sparring, great fighters; great mamories!
Paul was itching to open his own boxing gym in San Francisco and approached me about going into business together.
We opened 3rd St. Boxing Gym in September 2003.
As well as training fighters, we offered, daily cardio boxing classes and fitness boxing boot camps which brought in a broader spectrum of members. Paul spearheaded the fighter training producing numerous Golden Glove Champions and Diamond Belt Champions. I also trained my 1st Golden Glove Champion; Lizzy Cole.
We also had the franchise for the annul Diamond Belt Championships. We put on a show in the Kezar Stadium with the main event between Henry “The Guv’nor” Molloy ( 3rd St fighter)and Jason ”JP” Peterson (Frisco Boxing fighter and local Hells Angel. Possibly the most electrically charged atmosphere at a fight I have ever been at!
With the classes busy, boot camps jumping and lots of great fighters; 3rd St Gym was rocking. More great memories!
With the success of 3rd St Gym We decided to open a 2nd gym; Titanium Training Center.
And now, after 6 years of good partnership, Paul and I have decided to amicably part ways. We each want and deserve our own gym. I wish him every success in continuing with 3rd St Gym and of course hope the same for myself with taking over Titanium.
As of January 1st 2010 I will be renaming the gym Polk St. Boxing Gym.
Over the last 13 years, as well as fighting in many local shows all over Nor Cal. I have fought in 3 Golden Glove Championships at The Cow Palace; won it in 1999, lost in the semi finals in 2001 (but that fight got the “John Vidal Award” for most exciting fight out of more than 80 fights) and in 2003 lost a decision to Enrique “The Cobra” Gutierrez (ranked #2 in the USA at the time).
I have had some great sparring sessions with some of the top amateurs and local pros including; Santos Soto, Karim “The Hard hitter “ Mayfield, Henry “The Guv’nor” Molly, James “Dark Angel” Buggs, “Irish” Pat Lawler, Shane Dalton and even got “schooled” for 2 hard rounds with current Middleweight World Champion Andre Ward.
I have broken my ribs, broken my nose, burst my eardrums 6 times, spilt blood, been knocked out cold and done the same and worse to others…. and LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
I am very excited to have my own gym and look forward, to using what I have learned, to help people get in the best shape of their lives through boxing and to help any young men who are brave enough to step into the ring to prepare for that task.
- Simon Redmond December 2009.
