Detroit's Burn Rubber presents its newest collaboration, working with New Balance on a special 577 inspired by Michigan's rich boxing heritage. With plenty of legends to choose from, including Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pinklon Thomas, James Tony, Hilmer Kenty, Emanuel Steward and Thomas 'The Hitman' Hearns, the retailer chose to model the shoe after the story of Detroit's greatest son, Joe Louis. As the story goes, a young Joe Louis traded his violin for boxing gloves, skipping the music lessons his mother paid for to train at a local gymnasium. In order to keep this secret from his mother, Louis would hide his gloves inside of his violin case when returning home. In the end, Joe's clever ruse paid off for his family, the sport of boxing and the city of Detroit. Applying this story to footwear, the Burn Rubber x New Balance 577 features a rich leather upper, highlighted by a boxing-themed hang tag and graphic sockliner.

 

via Sole Collector