by Edward Pevos, MLive
DETROIT, MI – “The Rachael Ray Show” paid a visit to Detroit and surprisedDowntown Boxing Gym with some big gifts as part of an entire episode shot at the gym.
Rachael Ray brought along boxing living legend Evander Holyfield and retired undefeated boxer Laila Ali to surprise Downtown Boxing Gym coach Khali Sweeney and some of the kids.
Rachael Ray with Evander Holyfield (left) and Laila Ali. They surprised Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit with some big gifts. “The Rachael Ray Show” episode in Detroit airs on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 nationwide. (Photo: Jenny Risher)
The gym:
Downtown Boxing Gym is located on Verner and Mt. Elliott. Detroit native Khali Sweeney founded the gym which uses boxing as a tool to get kids on the right track with school. The gym has seen 100% of its participants graduate high school, with 98% going on to college.
The surprise gifts:
To thank and support Khali, Rachael Ray traveled to Detroit and presented the gym with a totally renovated lunchroom and kitchen designed by HGTV’s John Gidding, complete with new appliances and furniture. Rachael also gave a cooking lesson in the new space. The gym also received a $25,000 donation from ConAgra Foods.
“The Rachael Ray Show” from Detroit:
You can see Rachael Ray’s surprise gifts to the Downtown Boxing Gym on “The Rachael Ray Show” airing on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, nationwide on NBC.
The show airs weekdays at 2 p.m. on WDIV Channel 4 in Detroit, at 10am on WJRT in Flint, at 2 p.m. on WOOD in Grand Rapids, at Noon on WILX in Lansing, at Noon on WGTU in Traverse City and at 10 a.m. on WBKB in Alpena.
Evander Holyfield and Laila Ali also shared encouraging messages for the kids. Holyfield even got into the ring with some of the young boxers and Coach Khali. The visit culminated with a Thanksgiving dinner for some of the students and their families.
Edward Pevos is the Mlive entertainment reporter for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter @PaparazzoPevos