Posted on by Lucky Lou Arriazola

Willie Savannah

Mr. Savannah began his boxing journey in the late 70’s at Kenny Weldon’s Galena Park Boxing Academy, learning the boxing trade as he helped out with the boxers. In 1980 he and wife Clara opened The Savannah Boxing Gym and began training and managing boxer Ronnie Shields. Mr. Savannah and wife Clara never looked back and went on to develop one of the most successful amateur boxing programs in the nation. An approach based on the fundamentals of boxing and also a strong emphasis on building respectful, well -mannered young boxers.
There is a long list of boxers from Houston and/or with Houston connections that have been raised in the Savannah Boxing Gym or have trained there at one time or another. Many successful boxers from Savannah Boxing have gone on to become successful trainers as well, helping out at Savannah’s or opening their own gyms.
Just to name a few that have come up through The Savannah Boxing Gym: Ronnie Shields, Derwin Richards, Juan and Jose Diaz, and Hylon Williams Jr. The Charlo brothers and Regis Prograis also got their start at The Savannah Boxing Gym.
A tireless advocate for the underprivileged youth of Houston, Texas, Willie Savannah is truly a Houston boxing legend and icon.

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