Legacy Boxing to remain in Belleville, targets July 6 reopening
BELLEVILLE, N.J. — One month after a devastating fire forced Legacy Boxing Club out of its home, the program has found a new one just a few blocks away.
Legacy Boxing owner Yessenia Montalvo announced that the gym has been approved to move into the Belleville Board of Education’s sports facility at 522 Cortlandt Street, keeping the program in the same community where it had grown into a home for hundreds of boxers in a little over a year. Montalvo says a grand opening is being targeted for July 6, provided that they can get all of their new equipment in time.
Legacy will continue training at Belleville Park on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through the end of June.
The announcement, made Thursday over Instagram live, comes after weeks of uncertainty for Legacy Boxing, which lost its previous facility in the nine-alarm fire on May 3 that tore through the Belleville industrial complex where the gym was located. Since then, Montalvo and her staff have kept the program going with outdoor workouts at Belleville Park, while Signature Fitness provided space to help Legacy continue training its competition boxers, including 3-0 pro Lisandra Contreras.
“We are proud to announce a partnership with the Belleville Board of Education,” said Montalvo. “It was approved. I have been approved to go into the Belleville Board of Education sports facility.”
“I appreciate all of you who have been showing up to the park. I wanted to keep everybody together. I didn’t want anybody to feel what I felt. I wanted to make sure everybody stays positive.”
The path to the new location began about two weeks after the fire, when a landlord reached out to Montalvo and connected her with people who could help. That led to conversations with the Belleville Board of Education, including Superintendent Dr. Erick Alfonso and Belleville business administrator Tina Iaccheo.
The location keeps Legacy Boxing close to the neighborhood it had served. Montalvo, who was raised in Newark and now lives in Bloomfield, said Belleville had become central to the gym’s identity, especially because of the children who were able to come from nearby schools.
The new facility will give Legacy nearly 9,000 square feet of space. Montalvo said the gym will have room for its new boxing ring, new bags and new equipment, as well as access to a strength and conditioning area, bathrooms and showers.
Legacy, which was founded in 2020 and moved last year from its original location in Wayne to Belleville, also looks to allocate space for its Pretty Strong girls wrestling club, run by Montalvo’s daughter, former collegiate wrestler Ahlexa.
The gym plans to bring back its Pee Wee program, juniors, youth boxing, women’s boxing and competitive training. Montalvo said Legacy is also looking into early morning summer classes for middle school and high school students.
Montalvo said Legacy is still waiting for its former landlord to refund its deposit, for the fire investigation to be concluded, and for the insurance company to finalize their claim.
The gym also continues to raise funds for equipment. Montalvo said she is awaiting town permits to host a “super 50-50” and is considering hosting a spar-a-thon fundraiser.
Montalvo also clarified that all previous memberships have already been canceled, and that the gym will process refunds and credits once they return to their office. Anyone looking to continue being part of the gym will have to rejoin.
For Montalvo, the biggest victory is that Legacy Boxing will remain in Belleville.
“Share the good news,” said Montalvo, “and let’s bring Legacy back stronger than ever.”