Starting out in a garage, the Zulu Boxing Club of Warren is reaching one of its first big goals. After a long road to get there, the gym is hosting its first-ever event on Saturday.

Coaches Myles Jay, Nate Adams and Leslie Parkey all came from different backgrounds and different age groups, but came together to build something with a community-focused mindset.

“To bring three individuals together from three different generations (is special),” Jay said. “Coach Parkey is in the Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame and was a four-time champion boxer for the United States Air Force. Coach Nate boxed as a professional and I boxed as an amateur. We have three generations of boxing history together. We really do this to represent these young kids and try to show them — kids and adults — because our gym is open to not just kids but it’s open to adults as well.”

The event is set to feature around 15 different bouts with lots of local talent at a wide variety of levels. Some fighters will be defending an undefeated record, while others will be showing their stuff off for the first time.

“We’re going to have local fighters from our city that are fighting,” Jay said. “Some of them will be making their amateur debut, some of them will be defending their undefeated record. Some people are coming from Cleveland, Columbus — there’s people coming from all over. We’re hoping to have a good night of boxing, which hasn’t happened in quite some time. We want to have a great night of boxing in Warren.”

Over the last few years, the Zulu Boxing Club has been working its way up. From the garage to their own gym. It’s been a full community effort in making this happen.

“We started in a garage,” Jay said. “We started in a garage at Coach Nate’s house. Everyone, we moved to Fizek, then we made a partnership with Trumbull Metropolitan Housing and we were able to have a gym (with their help).

The trio worked with the city of Warren to help arrange everything. Just as the community has helped them rise to achieve this goal, they hope to return the favor to the community.

“We worked with the city, Mayor (Doug) Franklin and his administration,” Jay said. “They helped us with the venue. We thank the city for the opportunity and we really want everybody to come out and enjoy a great night.”

A big theme of this event is honoring the area’s storied boxing history, while showcasing the sport’s future talent.

“We’re paying tribute to all professional fighters,” Jay said. “At intermission, we’re going to ask professional fighters that fought for our city (to stand) and our ring announcer is going to do a bell count and acknowledge everybody that has ever represented as a professional for Warren, Ohio. We wanted to make sure to honor them.”

The event is set to start at 3 p.m. at Warren G. Harding High School. Tickets are $20 at the door and $300 for a table. Food and drinks will be served.

byauger@tribtoday.com