KRONK GYM’s return triumphant thanks in part to Happy’s Pizza

One of the most legendary names in boxing — often referred to as Detroit’s 5^th Franchise — KRONK GYM made its triumphant return in December 2025 to the city where it all began.

A pillar of Detroit’s athletic identity and one of boxing’s most iconic institutions, has announced that the KRONK Amateur Boxing Team will now make its official return to national competition since the legendary Detroit gym’s revival, thanks in part to a sponsorship from Happy’s Pizza, another iconic Detroit-based company.

The sponsorship will help cover travel expenses for KRONK’s amateur boxing team, where 15 members from the KRONK team ranging from 8-19 years old, will compete at the prestigious King of the Jungle National Tournament, taking place August 5-8 in Grand Rapids.

The four-day event will feature hundreds of amateur boxers from across the United States competing in three boxing rings with two daily competition sessions, providing young athletes the opportunity to test themselves against the nation’s best.

Support for KRONK amazing

For decades, sponsors and community supporters have played a critical role in KRONK’s championship tradition by making it possible for young boxers to travel to regional, national, and even international competitions.

Beyond the medals and trophies, those experiences expose athletes to new places, different cultures, lifelong friendships, and the importance of working together as a team, even in one of the world’s most individual sports.

“KRONK has always represented far more than boxing,” said Happy Asker, Founder and CEO of Happy Group and Happy’s Pizza. “It represents opportunity, discipline, family and hope for young people who are willing to work hard.

“Supporting these athletes as they travel to compete on the national stage is an investment in their future, not just their performance in the ring. We’re honored to help continue a tradition that has changed countless lives and produced champions both inside and outside the ropes.”

Remarkable resurgence

The tournament marks another milestone in KRONK’s resurgence under its new leadership and reflects the organization’s commitment to rebuilding one of the most respected amateur boxing programs in America.

Head Amateur Coach James Lester Jr. knows firsthand how transformative these opportunities can be. Lester began training at KRONK in 1996 before becoming a three-time National Champion and earning the No. 2 ranking in the United States while pursuing a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.

“Some of the most important moments in my boxing career happened because people believed in me enough to help me travel and compete against the best fighters in the country,” said James Lester Jr., Head Coach of the KRONK Amateur Boxing Team. “Those tournaments accelerated my development, built my confidence and prepared me to compete at the highest level.”

Among those who understands the lifelong impact of those opportunities is Tarick Salmaci, a former KRONK amateur standout who benefited from the generosity of sponsors during his own boxing career.

Salmaci went on to become a world-class professional boxer and is now a successful entrepreneur as founder of The Tarick Salmaci Group and ARG Real Estate.

“I know exactly what these young fighters are about to experience because I lived it,” said Salmaci. “When people invested in KRONK athletes years ago, they weren’t just paying for a trip, they were opening doors that changed lives.

“Traveling, competing against the best, representing Detroit and learning from those experiences helped shape who I became, both as a boxer and as a businessman. I’m grateful to see leaders like Happy Asker continuing that tradition for today’s generation of KRONK fighters.”