Blue Boxing Ring, USA

The Blue Boxing Ring was a famous sports venue in the United States. Numerous sport magazines and commentators herald this prestigious arena as “the last great boxing venue” and “the number-one boxing venue in the world. It opened in the early 1960’s. Now the building lies unused, quietly decaying behind locked doors. The hot halogen lights still have power, and with a flick of the switch some of the atmosphere of this spectacular place can be restored. The ground floor would have been packed tightly with stools and folding chairs on fight night, and the spectators would eagerly lean over the guard rails on the upper tier seating to get closer to the action.

Originally the three storey building was apartments for nouveau riche businessmen. It was taken over in the 1920’s by a fraternal order and used as a lodge; the main ring room would have been used as a ballroom or auditorium at this time. In the 1930’s the venues first heavyweight boxing match was held here. The Order sold the building in the 1960’s, and the Blue Boxing Ring began to law down star-studded boxing legacy.

The new owners renovated the building, and began to hold regular boxing events. The venue went from strength to strength, hosting international, regional and state title fights within its 1350 seat arena. World title fights were also held here by the 1990’s. The ring was also featured as a set piece in several blockbuster movies, and was an important promoter of female African-American boxing. Over the years the building also hosted comedy show,  concerts and weddings. In the early 2000’s the site was recognised as a Historic Marker of the state.

Reportedly, the venue closed around 2010 due to tax problems. Despite ambitious plans to convert this place into a hotel, jazz bar and fitness centre this once glamorous building still lays abandoned. The ever-looming threat of demolition hangs over this place, which occupies land which some think would be better utilised as a soulless parking garage.