In a district that is full of restaurants, collision repair shops and car part lots, one building stands out. Its unique nature is not in the design or the sign, but the regulation-sized boxing ring that sits beside it.
The ring is much like the gym that owns it; weathered, safe and a place to learn how to fight. The ring is also a tribute to the old school training that takes place here, with a mat surface under the tarp fighters stand on, which will tire the legs of the most conditioned fighters.
Mo-Sun Eclipse MMA, located off the corner of 4th Avenue and 33rd Street, distinguishes itself by giving back to the community, providing a place where kids can stay out of trouble and gain discipline. It’s a gym that goes back to the basics to teach anyone who is willing to learn about the nuances of boxing, kickboxing and certain martial arts.
“We train old-school,” said George Crawford, manager and head trainer for Eclipse MMA. “We stick to it because we stick to what works.”
Eclipse originated as a boxing gym and offered unique exercise activities, such as Taiko, the art of Japanese drumming, to draw customers in. The mixed-martial arts (MMA) influence was a contribution of a man who knew where the sport was going. Tommy Lapp, the nephew of founder and owner, Mo Sullivan, approached his aunt about adding MMA to the gym’s repertoire. Sullivan didn’t agree with Lapp’s viewpoint one bit.
Unfortunately, a tragic event changed her mind. Lapp was killed in Tucson shortly after returning from the Marines.
“I was absolutely against MMA,” said Sullivan. “But once he died, I watched a match and said to myself ‘he had the right idea.’”
Lapp did have the right idea. MMA is one of the fastest growing sports financially in the world. Even during the economic downturn, in which several major sports leagues like NASCAR, the PGA and even the NBA are losing sponsors and in some cases losing money, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which is an MMA league, continues to increase profits. Zuffa LLC, the company that owns and operates UFC, purchased the league for $2 million in 2001. Today the league is valued at more than $1 billion.
Eclipse underwent a $90,000 renovation to add a room with an octagon cage, designed for MMA fighting. On the wall hangs a memorial to Tommy Lapp.
With no contracts and relatively low cost to members, the gym struggles to turn a profit, which has led to them hosting USA Amateur Boxing events. For their first ever event, held July 16, more than 400 people watched a card that featured 10 fights. The gym will be hosting another event, complete with live music and food on Oct. 8.
“These events are the only way to raise money,” said Crawford. “We do everything from having car shows, to bringing in live music, to having a barbeque. We want to be connected with our customers and the community.”
Crawford says that the community embraces what Eclipse is doing, providing a place for kids to go to stay off the streets and away from trouble and to get life coaching in other aspects of their lives, not just fighting.
“I check out all the kids grades,” said Crawford. “It’s a privilege to come here and fight. There are more important things than fighting.”
The fighters understand the privilege and the opportunity that Eclipse presents to them. Crawford says if a fighter does not want to do things the right way, they are told to go somewhere else.
“I’m not a babysitter, I’m educating them in life,” said Crawford. “What the students put in is what they get out of it.”
The gym treats all fighters like family. Miguel Aruiavo, an amateur boxer who trains at Eclipse, says the gym has become a second home to him.
“I spend more time here than at my own house,” said Aruiavo. “It’s more than just a gym to me.”
Aruiavo is an example of the outreach that Eclipse is trying to make with the community.
“This place kept me out of a lot of trouble,” said Aruiavo. “I wouldn’t be doing good right now if it wasn’t for this place.”
Aruiavo says that Eclipse has helped him improve on his boxing technique and hopes that this can provide the background needed to get into MMA. But for Aruiavo, it is one step at a time.
“He needs to master boxing, after that, we can move on to other things,” said Crawford, who works Aruiavo’s corner during his fights.
Eclipse may lack the frills and extras of an expensive gym, but it has an extraordinary amount of experience, about 60 years worth split between the trainers. Crawford owned Tucson Ringmasters for 14 years. Roger Lau, another trainer, has more than eight years of experience. Vicente Medina was a professional boxer with 120 pro fights in his career. All the trainers volunteer their time.
“We give the trainers as much as possible,” said Crawford. “But usually there isn’t any money left to pay them.”
In addition to professional trainers, parents of several members volunteer to help keep Eclipse afloat.
“Other (gyms) are about the money,” said Al Caballero, a parent who volunteers at Eclipse. “Here it’s not a glorified daycare service, it feels more at home.”
