You walk up a flight of stairs and the air changes. It gets thicker, smelling of leather, old sweat, and that distinct, metallic tang of effort. If you’re looking for a shiny Equinox with cucumber water and eucalyptus towels, you’ve definitely wandered into the wrong place. This is the 5th Street Gym Miami Beach FL. Honestly, calling it just a "gym" feels like calling the Mona Lisa a "sketch."
It’s a temple. Or maybe a time machine.
Most people know the broad strokes: Muhammad Ali, the Dundee brothers, and those grainy black-and-white photos of the Beatles looking confused while a young Cassius Clay shadows boxes around them. But there’s a lot more to the story than just nostalgia. The gym has died, been demolished, resurrected, and moved, yet it somehow keeps that same "Oz" magic that Chris Dundee sparked back in 1950.
The Wizard, the Prince, and the Greatest
The original spot was at 5th and Washington. It wasn't fancy. Chris Dundee, the "Wizard of Oz," ran the business side, while his brother Angelo—the "Prince"—handled the fighters. They didn’t just train boxers; they curated a culture.
In the 60s, if you were anyone, you went to 5th Street.
💡 You might also like: Seahawks Standing in the NFL: Why Seattle is Stuck in the Playoff Purgatory Middle
- Frank Sinatra would stop by just to watch the sparring.
- Malcolm X was a frequent fixture.
- Jackie Gleason was basically a regular.
But the real gravity of the place came from Cassius Clay. When he arrived in Miami in December 1960, he was just a kid from Louisville with a gold medal and a loud mouth. Under Angelo’s "direction" (Angelo famously said he never trained Ali, he just directed him), Clay became Ali. He’d run across the MacArthur Causeway to get to the gym because, back then, Black men weren't exactly welcomed in South Beach after dark. He broke those barriers with his fists and his feet.
The gym was a melting pot. You had Cuban exiles fleeing Castro, local journeymen, and world-class champions all trading leather in the same ring. It was chaotic. It was loud. It was perfect.
The Death and Rebirth of a Legend
People forget that the original building is actually gone. It was torn down in 1993 to make way for, of all things, a CVS. Talk about a gut punch to history. For nearly two decades, the 5th Street Gym was a ghost, a memory kept alive by Dr. Ferdie Pacheco (the "Fight Doctor") and the aging Dundee.
Then, around 2010, the spark came back.
📖 Related: Sammy Sosa Before and After Steroids: What Really Happened
Dino Spencer and Tom Tsatas, with Angelo’s blessing and active involvement, reopened the gym. It wasn't in the exact same spot—it's moved a couple of times since, currently sitting at 615 5th Street—but the soul migrated. Angelo was there for the ribbon cutting, back in his playground at age 89, watching the next generation.
There was some drama, though. You can't have this much history without a little friction. After Angelo passed in 2012, there was a split. Jim Dundee (Angelo’s son) pulled the licensing for a while, leading to a legal and branding tangle. Today, the gym operating as the "World Famous 5th Street Gym" is the one carrying the torch on South Beach.
What It’s Actually Like Inside Today
If you go there now, you’re not just looking at museum pieces on the wall. It’s a working gym.
You might see Adriana Lima hitting the mitts in one corner and an undefeated pro like Luis Palomino or a heavyweight contender in the other. It’s one of the few places where "lifestyle fitness" and "blood-and-guts boxing" actually coexist without being cringey.
👉 See also: Saint Benedict's Prep Soccer: Why the Gray Bees Keep Winning Everything
The training style is still heavily influenced by the Dundee lineage. They focus on the "Sweet Science"—footwork, angles, and the mental game—rather than just mindless cardio.
Why It’s Still Relevant
- The Sparring: They host world-class sparring three times a week. It’s not uncommon for champions like Bernard Hopkins or David Haye to have used this floor for their camps.
- The Mentorship: Dino Spencer isn't just a business owner; he’s a student of the game who learned directly from Angelo and Freddie Roach.
- The Accessibility: You don't have to be a pro. They have classes for "soccer moms" (their words, not mine) and white-collar workers who want the workout without the broken nose.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of tourists think they can just walk in and see the "Ali Ring." You can't. The original ring was lost or sold off decades ago. What you’re seeing is a continuation of a legacy, not a static museum.
Also, it's not a "tough guy" gym where beginners get bullied. The Dundees always welcomed everyone—from the "Mumbler" Sobel to the greatest of all time. That "all-are-welcome" vibe is probably the most authentic thing they’ve kept.
Practical Tips for Visiting
If you’re planning to drop in, don’t just show up and stare. It’s a place of work.
- Check the schedule: They have specific hours for Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and traditional boxing.
- Book a private: If you want the real experience, book a session with a coach like Dino or Guy Laieta. It's not cheap, but you’re paying for a direct line to boxing history.
- Address: It’s at 615 5th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
- Parking: It’s South Beach. Parking is a nightmare. Use a ride-share or prepare to feed a meter for a while.
The 5th Street Gym Miami Beach FL isn't just about the past. It’s about the fact that even in 2026, with all our fancy wearable tech and AI-driven workout apps, there is still no substitute for a heavy bag, a skipping rope, and a coach who knows exactly how to tell you that your left hook is garbage.
Next Steps for Your Visit
If you're serious about training, call ahead at (305) 763-8110 to confirm the current class times, as they tend to shift during pro training camps. If you're just a fan of history, bring a few bucks for a t-shirt—it's the best souvenir in Miami, and the proceeds keep the lights on in a place that CVS couldn't kill.