RingSide Report

World News, Social Issues, Politics, Entertainment and Sports

Larry Holmes, Roberto Duran, Aaron Pryor, Julio Cesar Chavez, Ray Mancini, Gerry Cooney & Championship Boxing Headline the 25th Annual Fight For Children Charity Event in Washington DC

Roberto Duran, Mauricio Sulaiman, Aaron Pryor, Mia St. John, GerryCooney, Larry Holmes and coupleArticle and photos by Eric Fleming (At ringside)

The 25th Annual Fight for Children ‘Fight Night’ event hosted by Qorvis MLSGROUP at the Washington Hilton last night was a boxing lover’s dream with legendary champions who also mingled with local and international celebrities along with business people who enjoyed a night of boxing that raised 4. 7 million for a very worthy cause. The legendary boxers in attendance were, Larry “The Easton Assassin” Holmes, Julio Cesar Chavez, “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, and Mia St. John.

Each one of them presented themselves to the media and everyone attending with grace and joviality. Gerry Cooney and Larry Holmes joked about coming out of retirement and fighting again. Aaron Pryor came in projecting with his deep voice, ‘Boom Boom”, calling out over the crowd to his friend Ray Mancini. The respect they showed towards each other was genuine and for a guy who grew up on these fighters, it was a sight and pleasure to behold. If you just witnessed all the smiles and laughter these individuals provided and did not know them from their boxing careers, you would never know they were some of the toughest boxers ever to participate in that coveted square ring.

Raul Hernandez of ObjectVideo & Monumental Sports, who chairs the Fight for Children’s board gave a brief background on why he is involved in this endeavor which is first and foremost, to help all children to achieve and reach their goals and not have obstacles bare their way to success. Tracey Ulrich of Under Armor was also in attendance, giving interviews and taking photos for the press along with Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council (WBC).

The Chairman Recognition in the Ring presentation was done by Raul Fernandez, Kevin Flank of Under Armor (the presenting sponsor of Fight Night since 2013) and Mauricio Sulaiman. They raised and donated more than $4 million dollars with providing assistance to help local schools and organizations.

There were three boxing bouts presented to the more than 1000 individuals attending. Michael Buffer was the ring announcer and since we are not allowed to say his patented opening, you will have to say it as you read this article….

The first bout was a six round middleweight bout between Don Mouton, 14-9-, 12 KOs, of Houston, Texas and local hometown hero from Burke, Virginia, Antoine Douglas, 16-0-, 10 KO’s. The fight went the distance and Douglas was victorious. Even though it went the distance it was clear Douglas was the better and more skilled of the two. I know this statement is over used in so many instances, but Douglas resembled in appearance and style to a very young Cassius Clay now known as the legendary one and only Muhammad Ali. The way he moved around the ring, the way he threw and landed punches and even his physical being in my mind brought back how Ali danced and defeated his opponents. Keep a keen out on this young man because he has the potential to do great things in the very near future.

The next bout a 10 round WBC Women’s Flyweight Championship, featuring Ava “The Lady of boxing” Knight from Chico California, 13-2-3, 5KO’s against Lupita Martinez of Mexico, 7-8. If you think women can’t fight or have the skills to box, you should have witnessed this match. Each threw punches with accuracy and emphasis. This bout also went the distance and Ava Knight came out victorious. Each woman left everything they had in the ring and the crowd responded acknowledging this with applause and cheers.

The main event, was a 12 round WBC Super Flyweight Championship between champion Carlos Cuadras hailing from Mexico, 31-0-1, 25 KO’s and Marvin Ambait of the Philippines, 19-3-2, 13 KO’s. This was a hard fought battle between two determined fighters. One trying to keep his record undefeated and the other trying to become the new champion. Ambait gave all he could, but could not stand the constant pressure of Cuadras’ hard stiff jabs along with the assaulting body blows, which brought Ambait’s hands down, so Cuadra could work upstairs and deliver the knockout blow at :36 seconds of the 6th round.

In closing, for this aging dinosaur, to see the boxers I grew up watching and idolizing, it was a dream come true to be up close and personal, talking, shaking hands, taking pictures and witnessing individuals who excelled at their craft. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope to continue this in the future.

(Special thanks to Becky Brand from Qorvis, who did an outstanding job coordinating the media portion of this event.)

 

Antoine Douglas versus Don Mouton (2)

Antoine Douglas Vs Don Mouton

Antoine Douglas victorius

Ava Knight versus Lupita Martinesz

Ava Knight Vs Lupita Martinesz

Ava Knight victorius

Carlos Cuadras versus Marvin Mabait

Carlos Cuadras Vs Marvin Mabait

Carlos Cuadras versus Marvin Mabait (3)

Marvin Mabait on canvas

Aaron Pryor, Mia St. John, GerryCooney and Larry Holmes

Aaron Pryor, Mia St. John, Gerry Cooney and Larry Holmes

Gerry Cooney

Julio Cesar Chavez

Julio Cesar Chavez

Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini (3)

Ray  “Boom Boom” Mancini

Roberto Duran, Aaron Pryor and Ray Mancini

Roberto Duran, Aaron Pryor and Ray Mancini

Roberto Duran, Aaron Pryor and Ray Mancini (2)

Legends in ring

Mauricio and Jose Sulamain

Mauricio and Jose Sulaiman

Maricio Sulaiman and Carlos Cuadras ring corner

Mauricio and Jose Sulamain (2)

Ray Mancini and Eric Fleming

“Boom Boom” about to KNOCKOUT RSR Photographer Eric Fleming

Eric Fleming

Jill Diamond

WBC Cares Member Jill Diamond

Roberto Duran and Becky Brant from Qorvis MLSGROUP

Becky Brand from Qorvis

Tracey Ulrich of Under Armor

Tracey Ulrich from Under Armor

RSR Is NOW Hiring Boxing Writers

Leave a Reply