Gleason’s Gym | DUMBO, Brooklyn | New York City
Rio “Starboy” McDonald has swapped Bellshill for Brooklyn — and he didn’t fly to New York for the sightseeing.
This month Rio walked through the doors of Gleason’s Gym. Founded in the Bronx in 1937 and now based in DUMBO, Brooklyn, it’s often called the oldest active boxing gym in America. Jake LaMotta, Roberto Durán and Larry Holmes all trained there. For a young Scottish fighter, few rooms in boxing carry more history.
Rio wasn’t there to look around. He got in the ring with “The Machine”, a four-time national champion with years of experience. That’s a test you can’t get at home: a new style, a new pace, and a sparring partner who has seen it all.
“Great experience in Brooklyn, training in Gleason’s,” said Rio. “This year has probably been my most successful year in boxing, and I look to finish it with a massive performance. Thanks to Gleason’s for having me down.”
Between the sparring, Rio put in hard rounds on the pads. In his words, it was about “learning from world champions” and sharpening his tools “by learning from the greats.”
The trip kicks off Rio’s fight camp, and it comes at a big moment. Earlier this month he signed with StarBorn Fighter Management, who say there’s “massive fight news coming soon” for McDonald, with his biggest contest yet just around the corner. Watch this space.
Rio isn’t the only one with something to prove before the year is out. RMC Boxing and StarBorn are bringing a fight night to Hampden Park on 5 December, with several of the RMC team on the card.
Follow the journey on Instagram at @rmc_coaching1 and @riomcdonald7. If you want to train with the man who just sparred at Gleason’s, head over to the Coaching page to get in touch. ⭐