The Garrison Boxing Club, Kansas City’s newest boxing gym located in the Garrison Community Center, is where you will find one of the city’s most notable boxers.
Craig Cummings is the head coach at Garrison, and a staple in the KC boxing scene. Having walked the walk for most of his life, Cummings brings a wealth of insight and experience to impart to the youth of Kansas City.
“Amateur boxing set me apart from the rest,” Cummings said when asked about the impact boxing had on him. “Being in a small town (Gallatin, Missouri) and getting attention in Kansas City for something seemed like a big deal to me. I got to travel the country and forge a tremendous bond with my dad.”
Cummings began his amateur career at the tender, yet tough, age of 5. His dad, Tom Cummings, was his first trainer and coach.
He quickly became a rising star in the KC amateur boxing scene, eventually claiming seven Silver Gloves Championships and five Golden Gloves Championships. Cummings logged more than 130 fights by the end of his amateur career.
At the age of 21, Cummings found himself at a crossroads. One path led to an attempt at making the Olympic Team; the other path led to a professional boxing debut. With the guidance of his father, Cummings chose the latter.
Cummings would box his way to an illustrious professional career, fighting his way around the globe to register an impressive 61 bouts and earn a 53-7-1 record. He was notably ranked in the top 10 in the world by all of the major boxing organizations.
As Cummings’ professional career began winding down, he launched Danger-Fire Promotions.
“I had so many friends and peers that wanted to begin a career, or continue one, that I almost felt obligated to provide them a vehicle,” he said.
Cummings continued to be very active in the boxing community with this new venture, promoting and training local professional boxers. He also hosts several professional boxing shows annually.
Outside the ring, Cummings fights fires for the KCMO Fire Department. It was in this role he saw a need in the community he serves.
Cummings said he witnessed lost youth who had succumbed to the perils of a desperate life. From his vast boxing experience, he knew the sport could benefit the youth in the community in an impactful, positive, and life-altering manner.
“Boxing is the perfect sport for these kids,” he said. “Anyone can become a boxer if they work hard enough. Determination is the key to success. Boxing inherently teaches discipline and respect. It is goal oriented and takes focus and commitment. These attributes can be applied to all aspects of life.”
Thus, the wheels were set in motion. Cummings began searching for a gym where he could volunteer his time and expertise. His vision was to be able to provide training to young boxers, free of charge. Consequently, in an act of serendipity, the KC Golden Gloves was in the process of opening gyms in two community centers in the core of Kansas City. They too had the vision of providing a cost-free boxing experience to the youth of Kansas City. And as they say… the rest is history.
The growing number of boxers at the Garrison Boxing Club – and the surrounding community – is grateful to have a coach with an invaluable wealth of boxing know-how, and the passion to share it with them. Cummings has settled into his new gym, as the Garrison Boxing Club’s head coach.
“Being here just feels right,” Cummings said. “It feels like home.”
About KC Golden Gloves
KC Golden Gloves is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that has been serving the youth of Kansas City since 1936. KC Golden Gloves supports boxing clubs in KC area through equipment donations, travel expenses, training coaches and officials, and providing scholarships.