Bridge Wars Tickets

Boxing and the Bridge Wars; A History of Conflict

In the world of sports, rivalries are a common occurrence. Whether it's football, basketball, or baseball, there always seems to be teams or individuals who just can't stand each other. Boxing is no exception to this rule, and one of the most legendary rivalries in the sport's history was the so-called "Bridge Wars."

The Bridge Wars took place in the 1980s and early 1990s, primarily in New York City's boxing scene. Two of the city's most prominent gyms, Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, and the Morris Park Boxing Club in the Bronx, were at the center of the conflict. Gleason's had long been the training ground for many of the city's top boxers, while Morris Park had started to gain popularity in the late 1970s.

The rivalry between the two gyms began when Morris Park hired a trainer named Kevin Rooney, who had previously worked at Gleason's under legendary trainer Cus D'Amato. Rooney brought with him a number of talented fighters, including a young Mike Tyson. This influx of talent helped turn Morris Park into a major force in the boxing world, which didn't sit well with Gleason's.

Things came to a head in 1985 when Gleason's fighter Johnny Bumphus took on Morris Park's Billy Costello for the WBC junior welterweight championship. It was a highly anticipated fight, but it ended in controversy when the referee stopped the bout in the second round due to a cut suffered by Bumphus that was caused by an accidental clash of heads. The fans at Madison Square Garden were incensed and began throwing debris into the ring. After the fight, Gleason's owner Bruce Silverglade accused Morris Park of pressuring the referee to stop the fight unfairly.

The incident only served to further inflame tensions between the two gyms. There were rumors of physical altercations and even death threats being exchanged between trainers and fighters on both sides. The rivalry became so intense that it was difficult for boxers from one gym to even get fights with fighters from the other.

The Bridge Wars may have been fueled by personal animosity, but there was also a deeper issue at play. New York City had always been a hotbed for boxing, with a long history of great fighters and gyms. As the sport evolved in the 1980s and 90s, there was a feeling among some that the city's boxing scene was losing its edge. The emergence of Morris Park as a major player threatened the dominance of Gleason's and other established gyms, leading to a turf war of sorts.

Eventually, the Bridge Wars died down, as many of the key players moved on from the sport or passed away. But the legacy of the conflict lives on. It serves as a reminder of just how heated rivalries can become in sports, and how something as seemingly insignificant as a gym rivalry can capture the imagination of an entire city.

Boxing has always been about more than just skill and technique. It's a sport of personalities and rivalries, and the Bridge Wars are a perfect example of that. While it may have caused headaches for promoters and fans, the intense rivalry between Gleason's and Morris Park helped bring attention to the sport and elevate the status of New York City as a mecca for boxing.