Knowledge Johnson, a boxer who trains at Columbia Heights’ Firehouse Gym, won his second professional bout on February 13 in Hinckley, Minn. (Firehouse Gym)
Knowledge Johnson, a boxer at Columbia Heights’ Firehouse Gym who recently transitioned to professional boxing, moved to 2-0 in his second professional bout on February 13 at Grand Casino in Hinckley.
The match lasted the full four rounds before judges issued a unanimous decision, declaring Johnson the winner over Devin Wiltse of LaPorte, Indiana. Johnson won his first professional fight with a 3rd round TKO (Technical Knockout) in September of 2025.
It was an unsurprising transition for Johnson, who was named the Upper Midwest Amateur Champion in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Johnson adorned the Firehouse Boxing Gym gold and maroon uniform for his amateur dominance.
Firehouse is one of 30 amateur franchises in the US, and it serves as training hub for boxers at all levels, with classes offered three days a week. Owner Sean Clerkin said boxing is “one of the cheapest sports. All you need is tennis shoes and shorts. We supply all the equipment.”
Gloves from bygone eras hang from exposed pipes in the former Columbia Heights firehouse. “We don’t throw anything away and I think we’re the only museum in Columbia Heights,” said Clerkin with a wink and a smile.
Rhythmic and repetitive sounds of speed bags, forceful exhales of breath, coaching commands and bells reverberate throughout the space. The gym’s mascot, a jet-black dog named Vader, mills about. The nine coaches on staff, three of whom speak Spanish, disinfect the shared equipment every day.
Like many businesses, the presence of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in Columbia Heights impacted use of the gym, but Firehouse’s doors always remained open.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the gym shared its space with youth wrestlers who lost access to wrestling rooms in their school district. Clerkin reconfigured the space to accommodate and a picture of the smiling youngsters now hangs on the wall.
Corey Thompson practices at the gym, housed in an old firehouse with a kitchen, sauna and locker rooms for patrons. (Firehouse Gym)
The gym is equipped with a kitchen for proper nutrition, a sauna for fighters who need to cut weight and a men’s and women’s locker room available for patrons. These are “perks of the old firehouse,” Clerkin said.
Current amateurs Emily Ibarra Vara, aged 14, and Jarar Almosawi, 16, are following the path blazed by Johnson and advanced to the 2026 National Silver Gloves Tournament in Independence, Mo. The tournament ran from February 24-28. Both boxers were defeated in the semifinals. Corey Thompson, a professional boxer, headlined the February 13 match in Hinckley. He was defeated by Cruse Steward in the 7th round of the State Title bout.
Despite living in Sauk Centre, 100 miles from Columbia Heights, Thompson trained for the fight at Firehouse under veteran coach Mike Nelson. “The Columbia Heights and Northeast Minneapolis area have always felt like home to me, as I visited my father here every other week growing up,” Thompson said. “I’ve been around boxing for 20 years, but never learned so much, so fast, as I have since joining Firehouse… This gym is full of boxers with great potential, and it has truly become a home.”