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West Jordan • You might say the Fullmer Brothers put West Jordan on the map. The Fullmer Brothers will tell you it was their boxing coach back in the 1950s, mink farmer Marv Jenson, who did that.
Either way, it's with bittersweet anticipation that the Hall of Fame boxing trio prepares to trade the "West" prefix for "South" and move to a building at Salt Lake County's equestrian center on 11400 South in South Jordan. The three have to leave an old firehouse on 1300 West where hundreds of young boxers have sweated for free. They are victims of a sputtering economy that left West Jordan without the money to build the garage it needs, so the city will use the firehouse instead.
It's a predicament that leaves gym manager Jay Fullmer, 74, perplexed, though he said he appreciates the six years the city gave rent-free.
"We're replacing kids with trucks," he said of the plan, forcing a grin.
Public officials — some of whom idolized world-champion brother Gene Fullmer, who twice beat the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson and earned a draw once in their four bouts — weren't about to let the gym drift away, though. By all accounts, state Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, a boxing enthusiast, sounded the alarm and County Commissioner Randy Horiuchi answered the bell.
Horiuchi huddled with county officials, including Mayor Peter Corroon and Community Services Director Erin Litvack, convincing them the county should provide the gym a home. Both learned about the gym and readily embraced it, said Horiuchi, noting that the Fullmers are a powerful West Jordan institution and a positive force for at-risk kids.
"They've just been longtime county heroes," Horiuchi said. "They teach [kids] life skills of defending themselves, the honor of being part of a team, working hard, training."
Then there are the walls of old-time photographs and fight posters, including the championships, reminding the youngsters that anything is possible.
The county will spend about $25,000 to renovate another location for the ceremonial Sheriff's Posse riding club, Litvack said. The club agreed to move out. The county prizes "positive recreational alternatives" for at-risk kids, she said.
Most of the boxers training with the Fullmers are expected to make the move when the gym closes in July, though other alternatives exist closer to home and a few may transfer their allegiance. Eighteen-year-old Roman Barrios, sweating after working the bags one evening last week, said he'll do more than tag along to South Jordan.
"I'm going to help them move," he said. "They've been great to me."
Barrios competes in club tournaments and hopes to train for some upcoming Golden Gloves bouts while attending the University of Utah or Salt Lake Community College, now that he's graduating from high school. Training around old-time champs is an inspiration, he said, and boxing has been rewarding.
"I just hope to experience something new, meet new people, have a good time," he said. "And it reduces stress."
The Fullmers, all three of whom were professional contenders who fought at New York's Madison Square Garden and nationwide, got their start in one of Jenson's mink sheds. Like the young people who now look up to them, Jay Fullmer said, they respected Jenson and his record of training Olympians and national champions.
When Gene Fullmer, now 80, won the world middleweight title, his brother said, everyone in the boxing world suddenly knew where West Jordan was. Their success started with the rules Jenson spelled out when he gave them each a sweater and invited them to train under some bedrock rules, Jay Fullmer said.
"He said he's giving you this sweater on this condition: 'You don't swear. You don't drink. Mind your mom and dad.' "
Today, the Fullmer gym preaches five ideals: discipline, nutrition, fitness, integrity and service.
"That's why we don't charge anything," Jay Fullmer said. "We're trying to help."
The boxers willing to put in the work get this training for the price of a $50 membership in USA Boxing.
It's unclear how the county or the gym will pay to keep the lights on in the new location, although Horiuchi is ready to help organize fundraisers either for the club or to defray county costs.
Fullmer Brothers golf tourney
Fullmer Brothers Boxing will host a fundraising golf tournament Friday:
Where • River Oaks Golf Course, Sandy
Cost • $125 per golfer
When • Registration at 7 a.m., tee-off at 8 a.m.