CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For Montell Griffin, boxing is in his DNA.
"My dad opened a gym in Woodlawn in 1973. I used to hang out there all the time. My father bought it from former bantam weight champion Johnny Coulon," he recalled.
Muhammad Ali trained at his father's gym when he was in town.
"Muhammad Ali lived in Hyde Park. He'd call and ask my father to train at his gym. I took a picture with him at 5-years old. From 1975 to 1983, I spent a lot of time with him. Being around him, I knew I wanted to box. I knew it was what I was meant to do," Griffin said.
After his father died, he took a break from the sport.
"I quit boxing, because my mom thought it was too violent," Griffin said.
But at 20, he said, he followed his heart, picked up and moved across the country and began to train once again.
"I sold my car, bought a plane ticket, moved out to LA with $200 in my pocket," Griffin said.
Two years later, and after 30 amateur fights, he made the 1992 Olympic team in Barcelona.
"I used to watch the Olympics with my father. I wanted to win a gold medal for my father. I was just happy to make the team," Griffin said.
After returning from Barcelona, Griffin’s pro career quickly took off and he soon earned the IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title. A second victory over James Toney earned him a bout against WBC Champion Roy Jones Jr., which eventually resulted in a disqualification win over the undefeated Jones.
After he retired, Griffin came back to Chicago and worked as a Cook County sheriff. After that career ended, he returned to his boxing roots and opened Windy City Boxing Gym in Pilsen, a space to train upcoming boxers and for young kids on the South Side to learn the sport and love the sport.
"It's a family atmosphere. We welcome everyone. The kids train for amateur matches, this was before the pandemic. The kids call it a sanctuary," he said.
Griffin partners with After School Matters and the Windy City Youth Foundation to cover the cost of memberships. He said he trains kids ages 4-18.
"We reach out to certain people who might not be able to afford the membership. We offer their kids a chance to train for free. The parents love it. We train about 15 during the pandemic, but we've given out 30 scholarships pre-pandemic," Griffin said.
Ramauri Gallion, 7, started boxing two months ago. He's a first grader at Disney Magnet Chicago.
"I learned about boxing, how to keep your hands up and move your head around," he said. "I learn how to punch back. When I came home, I tell my daddy about the new things I've learned," he said.
WBBM: Do you want to be a boxer when you grow up?
"Yes," Ramauri said.
Griffin’s goal is to help prepare Gallion and others to compete in all areas of life, in and out of the boxing ring.
"It teaches them about life. I tell parents your kids don't have to come in and fight, but to just come in and learn discipline and dedication. Both will take them far in life. My life is definitely easier because of boxing," Griffin said.
He emphasized the three D's: dedication, discipline and determination - lessons he hopes his kids take with them long after they leave the gym.
"I try to keep them on track. They all show me respect and love and say thanks. I tell them they have to concentrate and give it 100 percent. This keeps them off the streets. I try to teach everybody to give it their all," he added. "I hope they take away positive memories and think back that it made a difference in their lives."
Griffin is also the author of a new book "The Ice Life."
"It's my life story, a story about a kid who got a second chance in life and succeeded. When I boxed, they called me Montel 'Ice' Griffin," he said.
"...It's a violent sport, but it's also an art. I'm not a quitter and I want these kids to take those life lessons with them."
"The Ice Life" is available on Amazon and on the book's website.