Car Thief Crashes Into Oakland Youth Boxing Club and Flees the Scene, Damaging Historic Ring

"As KTVU reports, a boxing ring used by heavyweight champion George Foreman in the 1980s sustained extensive damage after a car thief crashed into Lightning's Boxing Club on 5845 MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland at some point in the early hours Thursday morning. Kris Lopez, who co-owns the gym with his wife Denise Lopez, said the impact of the crash was forceful. "It's like an earthquake," Kris Lopez told KTVU. "The force knocked over the ring stairs and pushed the ring out of place.""

"Per KRON4, the Lopezes are raising funds for the repairs and staff payroll through GoFundMe, which was close to $10,000 Sunday morning. Per the fundraiser's page, the boxing ring will need to be replaced. Dear Oakland Community, we have given our all to this city for the better goodmentoring youth, creating positive members of society, and even producing the occasional boxing champion, the fundraiser's page states. Your donation will help us continue this important work and keep our doors open for the next generation. Please give what you can so we can get back to saving the community and inspiring our youth through the sport of boxing!"

"Per NBC Bay Area, the boxing club is temporarily relocating to Geoffrey's Inner Circle, a local nightclub and event space in Oakland's Black Arts and Business District, but the Lopezes hope to reopen as soon as possible "I just want to keep the boxers going," Kris Lopez told NBC Bay Area. "We have a nationally ranked amateur boxer, and of course my son and all the other kids who need this place to participate in something positive." Per KTVU, the gym has played a crucial role in supporting underserved youth in the community, some of whom have become professional boxers."

A stolen car collided with another vehicle and then crashed into Lightning's Boxing Club on MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland early New Year's Day, sending two people to the hospital. The impact heavily damaged a boxing ring once used by heavyweight champion George Foreman and knocked over ring stairs. Estimated repair costs range between $50,000 and $1,000,000. Owners Kris and Denise Lopez launched a GoFundMe to cover repairs and staff payroll, raising nearly $10,000. The club is temporarily relocating to Geoffrey's Inner Circle while aiming to reopen and continue serving underserved youth and amateur boxers.

Read at sfist.com