Our History

Del Porter was raised in a boxing family, Ted (Cyclone) Porter was a professional boxer from 1923-1933, he never fought as an amateur, and he was a 4 year welter weight Champion in Canada. He had 168 professional fights and lost about 19 of them.

Mr. Del Porter, following in his father’s boxing legacy, opened the Ace Boxing Club, Inc; and established it as a Milwaukee landmark for over 6 decades. Del Porter lost the battle to cancer at the age of 74. He may be gone but his spirit permeates the place named in his honor and all the hearts of all that come here.

Del Porter passed away Monday, May 5th at the age of 74. He was the founder of the Ace Boxing Club, which began in 1960 to help the neighborhood children stay out of trouble. The Club is located in Kosciusko Park, where Porter joined other coaches in donating their time to train and mentor the youth in the inner city communities.

Ace Boxing Club was started by the late Del Porter in 1960 on Milwaukee’s south side. In May of 2008, Del’s empire would have to continue without him, and after a 6 year battle with cancer, Del Porter passed away. He’d say “If you’re a winner inside the ring, you can be a winner outside the ring”.

His son Frank would take over for Del, making sure the principles that guided this boxing institution did not change

“How many of these people would be coaches, working with these kids if they weren’t getting paid for it” - Del Porter

Our Program

Ace Boxing Club is the heart and soul of the southside of Milwaukee

We teach the kids the value of being involved in their community

Milwaukee’s classic boxing club held at the historical Del Porter Pavilion

We teach our native culture through the art and science of boxing for all ethnicities and people of all ages.

We teach our inner-city community the importance of refraining from violence and street life, by using self control and walking away from confrontation.

Our boxing program inside the ring not only teaches them the art and science of amateur and professional boxing but the physical activities helps them relieve frustration and develop healthy habits. We also implement team building, self control, diversity, unity, loyalty, respect, discipline, self esteem, and most important community building.

Many experience a sense of family and belonging which they may be lacking in life outside of the ring