Ring used for training Toledo area's boxers is stolen

11/13/2008

The Golden Gloves boxing club took a hit this week when a traveling boxing ring shared by area athletes was stolen.

A ring, packed into a locked trailer under a security light in front of Glass City Boxing, 3530 Suder Ave., was reported stolen Monday, police said.

The lock, which had been cut off, was found on the pavement, police said. The ring, which police valued at $3,500, would cost as much as $9,000 to replace, trainer Tom Urbina, 50, said.

But the ring has sentimental importance. It's been used since the 1970s in Toledo to train young athletes, including 2004 Olympic competitor Devin Vargas.

The ring also was part of early bouts of such fighters as Muhammad Ali, "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler, and Larry Holmes, Mr. Urbina said.

"It does mean a whole lot to not only myself, but to a whole lot of the kids," Mr. Urbina said. "Every kid that ever fought their first fight fought in that boxing ring." The ring typically travels as far as Cincinnati and Cleveland to regional boxing matches. If the ring is not returned, several boxing clubs that reserved the ring likely will cancel matches, Mr. Urbina said.