Kensington’s rough and tumble reputation made it the perfect backdrop for Rocky Balboa to rise out of 1970s post-industrial Philadelphia, to become the iconic silver screen legend associated with our city. Rocky is not real, but Philadelphia is the hometown of world renowned boxing champions like Joe Frazier and Bernard Hopkins.

  The success of boxers like Hopkins, Frazier and Floyd Mayweather captivates young Philadelphians looking to become world class athletes. Chuck Diesel runs Diesel Fit Gym a few steps away from J St. and Kensington Ave, and has been promoting boxing in the neighborhood for many years.

  Diesel Fit Gym has been at their current location for over a year, and is a safe place for people of all ages and skill levels to learn the sport of boxing, or just get in shape. On Friday July 22, Diesel FIt Gym will host a night of boxing titled “Showdown of Champions.”

  This event is sponsored by Joe Ricci of Ricci Towing and Transport. According to Diesel, Ricci, also a Kensington native from Ontario St. and Jasper St., used to box at the Harrowgate Boxing Club, and together they hope to be putting on monthly shows at Diesel Fit Gym.

  “Showdown of Champions” has 21 bouts slated for the evening. Kids as young as eight y are on the card. According to Diesel, the younger fighters will participate in one minute matches, with more experienced fighters competing in three round bouts.

  According to Diesel, he is operating within the guidelines of the USA Boxing Association. The referees are all certified through USABA, an official timekeeper will be on hand, and a doctor has volunteered his time to make sure all medical needs of the fighters are taken care of.

  Diesel wants to ensure the safety and accuracy of each match, but he also wants the children to feel like champions at the end of their bouts. “We’re gonna give the winners belts, and make it as real for them as possible,” Diesel said

  Diesel, who is a Kensington native himself, believes events like this give neighborhood kids a chance to learn a skill that could make them better adults. “The kids are what’s important to me,” Diesel said.

  Diesel also believes in equality in his gym for everyone regardless of skill level and age. “My gym is a place for everyone. We have eight year olds up to world champions, but everybody’s equal,” Diesel said. “If you’re on the world champs bag, and he wants to use it, the world champs got to wait. That’s just how we do things.”

  According to Diesel, there are a lot of boxing clubs in Philadelphia, but many young athletes travel to cities like Chester and Camden to compete. Diesel hopes he can provide a hometown venue, so local children can have a safe place in their neighborhood to train and compete.

   “We have a lot of gyms here,” Diesel said. “I’m hoping to have it every month. They (kids) can take the el here and get off at Tioga.”

  Diesel wants his gym to be a safe haven for everyone, and he believes Kensington is in need of some great people to teach the younger generation discipline without the pressures of the outside world.

  “It gives us an opportunity to come together with no agenda, no purpose other than for entertainment,” Diesel said. “We’re just people from the community, and we want extraordinary things to happen to the community.”