Home of Champions

Curtis Cokes, former undisputed welterweight champion of the world and a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is a point of reference, a tangible symbol of prizefighting excellence for every living soul involved with the sweet science in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Mr. Cokes’ pugilistic tentacles reach clear across the United States and the world. In north Texas, everybody who’s anybody has watched or actively participated in sparring sessions at Cokes’ gym, Home of Champions, and seen his “Wall of Fame”, a reminder of his glorious past. Simply put, if you’re a local coach or fighter, pro or amateur, you’ve heard of and/or crossed paths with Curtis Cokes at some point in time. And if you’re lucky, you’ve been invited up to the champ’s office, to partake in a cold beverage, laughs and fistic talk. So it’s only fitting that the “Godfather” of DFW boxing has his gym featured first by North Texas Boxing.

For several years, Home of Champions was located off of Saner Avenue in Oak Cliff, but cramped quarters forced a move to larger confines; the Village Oaks apartment complex at 3550 Overton Road (214-374-8838), also in Oak Cliff. Cokes’ gym is adjacent to the leasing office and is exceedingly spacious. It houses quite possibly the largest boxing ring you’ll ever see, weights, several heavy bags, speed bags, a jump roping area, medicine balls, sit up benches, air conditioned male and female locker rooms (with scales and showers) and an office. In other words, everything you need. Just bring your rear end, the desire to better yourself, gym dues and you’re set.

World-class fighters train alongside children and white-collar professionals. Former world-title challenger, Kirk Johnson, is a regular. He’s been with Mr. Cokes since the gym was on Saner (back when the promising Ike Ibeabuchi was terrorizing the heavyweight division). When Evander Holyfield made his comeback, Dallas was his first stop and Home of Champions was his base. He trained there daily and held media sessions at the gym. Residents of Village Oaks apartments even got to mingle with the living legend. Quincy Taylor, the only other Dallas native to win a world title, worked out at both the Saner Ave. location and the new one.

Three members of North Texas Boxing’s pound for pound list currently train at Home of Champions; Tarronze Washington, Domonic Jenkins and Roderick “Big Rod” Willis. Some of the other NTB pound for pound entrants have worked out there for a brief time or at least sparred there. Ft. Worth’s favorite son, Paulie Ayala, is a frequent visitor. During his fighting days the former two-weight world champion frequently solicited advice from Mr. Cokes and is good friends with Johnson. Calvin Brock, Tyrell Biggs (1984 Olympic gold medalist), Obed Sullivan and Ray Austin are others who’ve prepared for fights at Home of Champions. Luis “The Latin Legend” Yanez, co-captain of the 2008 U.S. boxing team, couldn’t count the number of rounds he’s sparred at Cokes’ gym. Ditto for Charles “The Bodysnatcher” Hatley, the second best amateur in Dallas. Two-time national golden gloves champion, Eric Fields, came all the way down from Oklahoma to spar once, as did world ranked super middleweight, Allan Green.

Curtis Cokes was the first champion that the city of Dallas could ever claim as its own. Before the Dallas Cowboys were “America’s Team” or Super Bowl champions, Curtis Cokes was the undisputed king of the world at 147 pounds. And his championship aura and iconic status can be felt throughout his gym. Artwork, a bust and old fight posters of Mr. Cokes are proudly displayed next to pictures from various stages of his boxing life. At one time, one of his belts was a part of this shrine, but sadly, it was stolen.

Do yourself a favor and visit Curtis Cokes’ Home of Champions gym; introduce yourself to the Champ. Though Cokes was too young to have participated in the Negro Baseball Leagues, ask him about his playing days as a shortstop for an all-black, semi-pro team called “The Dallas Bombers” a minor league team for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He may tell you how he was making more money than his father, playing minor league ball. But that he went into boxing because he never got the call to the big leagues. In his own words, “The bat was bigger than me. I was 139 lbs and the big league scouts didn't give me a second look.” Still, this is a testament to Cokes awesome athletic abilities to be able to excel in two vastly different sports. Whether you’re a coach, fighter, former fighter, fan or local historian you’ll be glad you did. Those of us that follow the Sweet Science are.