The Champ's Camp: A Closer Look at Fighter's Heaven
Granite monument that lists the names of staff members that worked at Deer Lake from 1972 to 1975. The monument is now on exhibit on the fifth floor of the Muhammad Ali Center.
On loan from Lonnie Ali since 2005.
After Retirement
Muhammad Ali "retired" from boxing several times, but his final retirement was in 1981. Ali lost to Trevor Berbick on December 11, and following that loss, Fighter's Heaven became dormant.
Prior to his decision to fight Larry Holmes for the Heavyweight Championship title in 1980, Ali had initially decided to retire from boxing after winning the title for a historic third time against Leon Spinks in 1978. When his final retirement was announced and it was evident that the Deer Lake training camp would close, Ali's cornerman Drew 'Bundini' Brown had a granite monument commissioned. The monument listed the names of those who worked at the "original" camp between 1972 and 1975 and was erected at the camp.
The monument was eventually moved to Muhammad's home in Berrien Springs, Michigan, before being relocated once more to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
