Jose Benavidez Sr. Hosts Grand Re-Opening And Ribbon Cutting of Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix

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PHOENIX, AZ — October 22, 2026 — Renowned boxing trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. is returning to his roots with the purchase of Phoenix’s historic Central Boxing Gym, located at 1755 W. Van Buren St. The facility holds deep personal significance for the Benavidez family and marks the beginning of a new chapter centered on community impact, youth development, and athletic excellence.

This Saturday, Central Boxing Gym invites the public to be part of the official grand opening and ribbon cutting. Doors to the facility will open at 7:00 a.m. The ribbon cutting will commence at 8:30 a.m., with breakfast provided by Bodega on Central.

To round out the grand opening festivities, the gym will host Fright Night Fights, a USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur boxing smoker beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

For Benavidez Sr., the acquisition is less a business venture and more of a homecoming.

“We started in this boxing gym,” said Benavidez. “The former owner, Hank Zanzucchi, is the one who sent us to California. Me coming back to Central Boxing Gym, I’m super happy. It’s a blessing. I can help the kids. Make more champions.”

Over the years, Benavidez Sr. has developed an impressive list of world champions, contenders, and title challengers, including his sons David Benavidez and Jose Benavidez Jr., as well as Rayo Valenzuela,Diego Pacheco, and the Tellez sisters.

Central Boxing Gym itself is one of Arizona’s most storied boxing institutions. Throughout its history, legendary figures including Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Kostya Tszyu have all spent time training or visiting the gym.

Yet it is Benavidez Sr.’s own life experiences that inspired the purchase and his vision for the facility’s future:

“My mom and dad separated when I was a kid. I was abused. I went through a lot of things. Those are the kids I want to help. Abused kids and mothers. Kids that need someone in their corner.”

With that mission in mind, Benavidez Sr. is calling upon the Phoenix community to become active partners in the gym’s revival.

“I want to find people that will help me. I want to invite local businesses to be part of the community. I can’t do it by myself. Join Central. Let’s make a change. Let’s help these kids.”

Reflecting on his own unlikely path to success, Benavidez Sr. added:

“I was 26 and didn’t know nothing about boxing. God put me in this position.”

While Benavidez Sr. is the driving force behind the project, the effort is supported by a dedicated leadership team committed to restoring and expanding the gym’s role in the community.

Emily Pandelakis Girten will oversee the day-to-day operations of Central Boxing Gym. For the past 15 years, Girten has done public relations and event support for boxers and boxing promoters around the country, and has worked alongside the Benavidez family since David and Jose Jr. were children. She sees enormous potential in the facility’s future.

“Our first move is a big restoration project,” said Girten. “Businesses will be able to be a part of that project. They’ll have the opportunity to be immortalized on the outside East side of the gym.”

Girten outlined an ambitious vision for the gym’s next phase.

“Our plans include more kids programs, hosting events such as smokers, Muay Thai and Lucha Libre, investing in our community, and providing more value to our members. Because of our connections throughout the boxing world, we’re looking forward to bringing ‘big fight energy’ to the gym, where we hope to host media workouts and events featuring boxing’s biggest names.

This is where it all began for the Benavidez family, whose portraits don the front of the gym.”

The coaching operation will be led by respected Phoenix boxing figure Junior Lopez, founder of JL Boxing Academy, who currently oversees multiple gyms throughout the Valley. The head coaches will be long-time trainers Juan Mendoza and Carlos Alvarez.

“I’m very excited to partner with Jose Benavidez Sr. on this venture,” said Lopez. “Central Boxing Gym is a historic community landmark. Not everyone that steps into a boxing gym will become a world champion, but the principles we will instill in everyone that comes through our doors will help us build champions at life.”

Together, Benavidez Sr., Girten, and Lopez aim to transform Central Boxing Gym into a cornerstone for youth mentorship, athletic development, and community engagement while preserving the rich legacy that has made the gym a Phoenix institution.