Update on Abraham’s Tent in Guyana

Abraham’s Tent is a proposed shelter for orphans and abused women in Guyana. It was started by a family whose roots go from India to Guyana all the way to New York and Texas. They came to us for some help. We reached out and Roy Van Putten, William Boodhoo and his granddaughter Shanna, reached back. Here is an update:

Hope you are well and not too busy.

We wanted to thank you again for the introduction to William.

Shahana met with him last week in Toronto and he gave us some valuable advice.

We have to make some changes to the brochure and our website; based on William’s input and

also some new information that is now available from Guyana .

We are contacting the Minister of Social Services in Guyana to get her direct input on what and where she needs help most-

as far as orphans, single mothers and battered women are concerned. We also need updated statistics for our website and brochure.

As William pointed out; we need to fully have the Guyana gov’t on our side.

For example, the Guyana gov’t has recently launched a program to give a small stipend to single mothers, but is only able to give to 50 mothers at this time.

We have to highlight the works that the Ministry is doing & how we can complement and supplement its endeavors.

The other piece of good news is that we have just received the final documents from Guyana to be signed and returned for ‘Abraham’s Tent’

to be fully registered. It has only taken more than a year!

Will keep you posted.

Best regards

Yasmin

Dennis Hardesty: Hammond Boxing Gym

I just had to share this moving speech by Dennis Hardesty, the founder of the Hammond Boxing Gym in Indiana, US.
“I would like to thank the Mayor for asking me to speak tonight. First I’ll tell you a little about myself then we’ll go into why I’m here.
My name is Dennis Hardesty I had a very humble beginning, my mother worked 32 years at White Castle to support our large family. When you come from a big family big things happen. Originally there were 11 of us then down to five. Some of us got separated from the rest, one was adopted by another family and us younger ones stayed with our mom. My dad left when I was young and for us it was a good thing. It would have been worse if he would have stayed. I know what’s like to live in a 2 bedroom apartment with 7 of us to share. While some of my siblings were in orphanages and never seen by us again and some found their way back in our lives.
Now I’m a fortunate person. I’m fortunate because through boxing I’ve been helping people more than thirty years, many of them are kids, some athletes, others box to get in shape there are some kids that made bad decisions by joining gangs learning how to survive on the streets and others that had to learn how to survive in their bad home environment. All need to let out aggression or just to be involved in something positive.
I can give many examples of how our boxing program has changed lives. We don’t reach everyone and some never get out of their destructive behavior. But I’d like to give you an example of one person that took a long journey in life to make something good of himself. I will not disclose his name because he is from Hammond there are some things I’m sure he regrets and is embarrassed about.
It was about 20 years ago this kid started coming to my boxing club I had in Whiting. He was always polite and quiet in the gym but outside the gym he was a mess highly involved in a gang that is known nationwide. There was one particular time he got in trouble and when I found out about it I approached him and we talked. I decided to go to court with him which I don’t do very often.
First off he had to borrow some dress clothes, for me to show up in court with anyone they better dress the part. He borrowed a shirt, pants and shoes.
Then we went to court. I really believed what I told the Prosecutor and Judge that day. I told them “I believe that this young man will be a good contributing citizen in his community someday”. The Prosecutor told the Judge she knew of me and felt me coming to court could be a positive influence in his life. Well he got off with probation.
Now I must tell you being involved with kids really keeps you up on the local news. News that you won’t find in the newspaper, radio or television. News that is happening everyday with families, neighbors good and bad from the people that are involved with incidents that make up their community.
I’m sure any police officer here can write a book on neighborhood news that you’ll never hear about. So throughout the years I kept up with things and this kids name kept coming up as a notorious high ranking gang member. But I couldn’t get away from thinking I can’t believe he was going to make this lifestyle his future.
Then after years of losing contact other than what I heard from the street kids. I started hearing he is not involved with the gangs anymore. Then I started asking around and people were saying he works and doesn’t dress the part as a gangbanger. About 2 years ago I ran into him. We had a chance to talk for a long time. During the time we talked I didn’t ask him if he was still involved with gangs. I figured why, he was going to say no either way. He was going to say no if he was involved and he was going to say no if he wasn’t. After that day I didn’t hear much about him and when you don’t hear about someone that is a good sign.
So a few weeks ago I was standing in our new boxing club and I heard someone say “Dennis this looks good” I turned it was him standing next to me. He had his work uniform on with his company name on it. Now we talk almost every day, and today this person is a good contributing citizen to his community.
Maybe it took him 20 years to get where he is at today but he ended up where he remembered he got accepted when he was a kid.
You see we take anyone, we take the ones that are not accepted, we take the ones that have been kicked out of everywhere else, we take the ones that think they don’t belong to anything, and we take the ones no one wants. For many it’s their last hope.
I must remind you most of them slip away but a few hang on to the hope that was given to them, and they might not turn to the straight life right away but some turn back around later.
I can relate to these kids because I know what’s it’s like to be a scared child, I know what’s it like to be picked on because there wasn’t a father at home, I know what it’s like to grow up without a vehicle at home, I know what it’s like to live in rental property not because it was what my Mother wanted, because it was the cheapest she could find. I’m no different than a lot of kids I’m just an older person trying to get by.
Now we’ll go in to why I’m here. I’m here because Mayor McDermott gave us a boxing club in your backyard. Our Hammond Boxing Club is located at 250 Ogden Street. Our gym has 8 trainers all volunteers Everlast equipment 10 heavy bags, jump ropes, boxing gloves, headgear, team uniforms and a brand new Everlast ring. We plan to give hope to anyone 8 years old and up. We have members in their 40′s and 50′s just to work out we have members there to cut weight. We have younger members trying to make our amateur team and we also have professionals.
For members 18 and older the fee is $25.00 a month for 17 and younger $20.00 a month. We are open Monday thru Thur. 5-8pm. and Saturdays 10am. -12noon. For our Police and Firemen it’s free. Now I ‘m not here to solicit but we do need a volunteer to help with our office and equipment room.
If you want to know how this came about it’s because Mayor McDermott didn’t forget about your kids, he didn’t forget about your grandchildren your neighbors and friends.
All my younger years I thought politicians never cared about the poor or unwanted. Now these kids in your community can grow up knowing Mayor McDermott cared. Hopefully someday one of them will become Mayor of our great city and help others.
In closing I would like to thank everyone for listening and invite you to visit us at 250 Ogden Street. I will be here for the rest of the evening so if you have any questions I will be glad to answer them.
Thank you.”

A MSG Kids CLub Party – Brooklyn Style!

Rashna, Joe Wms, Ann Sacurrato, Tor Hammer, Suszannah Warner, Sadam Ali, Will Rosinsky, Brian Adams all joined WBC World Boxing Cares to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the MSG Boys & Girls Club in Brookly, NY, USA

WOMEN BOXERS MAKE IT TO THE OLYMPICS!!

IBA press Release

AIBA, the International Boxing Association, is proud and honored to welcome women into the world of Olympic boxing following today’s historic decision by the International Olympic Committee to include women’s boxing from the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The announcement in Berlin by IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge means that boxing is no longer the only Olympic sport practiced solely by men. For the thousands of women boxers who train so hard and compete in national, continental and international competition, their dream of one day competing on the biggest stage of all can now become a reality.

The inclusion of women in the Olympic Games has been a key goal for AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu ever since he was elected in 2006. Supported by a dynamic AIBA Women’s Commission, Dr Wu has worked tirelessly towards this momentous day.

“Women’s Olympic boxing is a vote for the future,” said Dr Wu. “AIBA accepted women’s boxing into its program as long ago as 1994 and I am thrilled and delighted that, at long last, women can claim their rightful place alongside men on the Olympic boxing program.”

Women will compete at three weights in London – flyweight (48 – 51kg), lightweight (56 – 60kg) and middleweight (69 – 75kg) – with 12 boxers taking part at each weight. In order for the total number of boxers to remain at 286 there will be one less weight category in the men’s competition, meaning that there will be 10 weights for men.

“The addition of women’s boxing means that we finally have a truly universal Olympic Games,” Dr Wu continued. “Nevertheless, we will strive to ensure a very successful first Olympic Games for women in London in order that the number of women participating at future Olympic Games may increase.”

Dr Rogge said: “I can only rejoice about the decision to include women’s boxing in the Olympic Games. (Women’s boxing) is a great addition since boxing was the only summer Olympic sport without a female discipline. Women’s boxing has progressed a lot in the last five years and it is time to include them.”

Dr Wu went on to reveal his plans for the future of women’s boxing. “I already have plans to support all national federations who want to develop women’s boxing,” he said. “AIBA will offer long-term support to talented young boxers, particularly those from emerging nations, and it will create more competitions for women, at both international and continental levels.”

But it is not only the boxers that AIBA will help: the development of women referees and judges, women coaches and women leaders in management roles both within AIBA and in the general administration of boxing are equally important medium and long-term goals.

Please click here for a copy of the AIBA Women’s Olympic Boxing brochure
Only three weight classes — but here we go!!
AIBA Media Contact: Adam Szreter: +41 79 817 1670

MSG Boys and Girls Club’s 125th Anniversary

On Auigust 12th, these wonderful athletes will join me to represent WBC World Boxing Cares on Fox Five and celebrate the 125th Anniversay of the Madison Square Garden Boys and Girls Club.

Ann Sacurratto – 3X WBC Ltweight World Champion – **
Suszannah Warner – NABF Strawweight Champion
Brian Adams – 4X GG Champ/SNY Announcerr
Sadam Ali (2008 Olympics/Pro)
Will Rosinsky (UD LT HW, 4X GG CHamp)
Eilon Kedem – (Israeli Champ/boxer)
Tor Hammer ( UD HW, 2X SHW GG Champ)

Devon Alexander

Newly crowned WBC super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” accepted a Key to the City from St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay today at City Hall. Slay congratulated Alexander, 22, on winning his first world title on Saturday and for setting a great example for young people by showing the benefits of hard work, dedication and avoidance of drugs and alcohol.

PHOTO CREDIT: BOB BARTON

Alan Hopper
DKP

Budd Shulberg

Budd Schulberg, ‘On the Waterfront’ Screenwriter, Dies at 95
By Anahad O’Connor

Budd Schulberg, the legendary screenwriter and novelist who won an Oscar for his classic 1954 film “On the Waterfront,” has died. He was 95.

Mr. Schulberg, the son of a movie executive born in New York, rose to fame in the 40’s and 50’s with a succession of award-winning books and screenplays, most notably his novels “What Makes Sammy Run” (1941) and “The Harder They Fall” (1947), and the film “A Face in the Crowd” (1957). But it was “On the Waterfront” that Mr. Schulberg was best known for. The film, starring a young Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint, nearly swept the 1954 Academy Awards, earning eight Oscars, including one for Best Picture and another for Best Actor, which went to Mr. Brando. The film was so influential that it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Mr. Schulberg lived in Westhampton Beach on Long Island and is survived by his wife, Betsy, and five children.

An obituary will be published shortly.

Update | 8:35 p.m. Mr. Schulberg’s wife, Betsy, said that her husband died at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. She said that he was at home and was taken by ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center, where they tried to revive him but failed.

Aqua Caliente Boxing

Photos courtesy of Michele Chong

Devon Alexander

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay has announced he will present St. Louis native son Devon Alexander with a ceremonial Key to the City of St. Louis on Thursday at St. Louis City Hall. Alexander won his first world title on Saturday by defeating former 140-pound world champion Junior Witter in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Mayor Slay will honor Alexander, 22, for winning the vacant World Boxing Council super lightweight championship and for setting a tremendous example for young people in his hometown by stressing the importance of education, citizenship and physical fitness.

Alexander’s trainer, Kevin Cunningham, a former St. Louis police officer who also manages IBF junior middleweight champion Cory Spinks, will also attend the ceremony.

See media alert attached and below as well as Devon’s updated bio.

Alan Hopper
DKP

**ST. LOUIS CITY HALL PRESS CONFERENCE ALERT**

Devon Alexander to Receive ‘Key to City’

Mayor Slay to Honor St. Louis’ Newest World Champion

On Thursday at 11 a.m. in the City Hall Main Rotunda

WHO:

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay

Devon Alexander “The Great”

Undefeated World Boxing Council Super Lightweight Champion

Native of St. Louis

19-0, 12 KOs

Kevin Cunningham

Former St. Louis Police Officer

Trainer of World Champion boxers Devon Alexander and Cory Spinks

WHEN:

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009

11 a.m.

WHERE:

St. Louis City Hall

Main Rotunda

WHY:

Twenty-two-year-old native St. Louis son and Vashon High School graduate Devon Alexander “The Great fulfilled his lefelong goal on saturday by winning his first world championship in boxing.

He won the vacant World Boxing Council super lightweight title by scoring an eighth-round technical knockout over former 140-pound world champion Junior “The Hitter” Witter, from England, in a nationally televised match on SHOWTIME emanating from Rancho Mirage, Calif.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay will present Alexander with a ceremonial Key to the City of St. Louis in recognition of his effort and for the tremendous example Alexander has set for young people in his hometown by stressing the importance of education, citizenship and physical fitness.

For more information please contact:

Sherry Webbenmeyer, St. Louis Mayor’s Office (314) 622-3473 wibbenmeyers@stlouiscity.com
James Clark, Better family LIfe (314) 378-4026 jclark@betterfamilylife.org
Alan Hopper, Don King Productions (954) 418-5839 alandkp@hotmail.co

Burchfield & Cappiello Join Forces

PROVIDENCE (Aug. 3, 2009) – Longtime New England boxing promoters, Jimmy Burchfield and Rich Cappiello, have joined forces and pooled their resources under Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. (CES) banner.

Burchfield, operating out of Providence (RI) for the past quarter-century, and the Brockton (MA)-based Cappiello have been the two most dominant boxing promoters in New England for the past 15 years.

“Rich has a great talent for evaluating, signing and moving prospects,” Burchfield said. “Fighter development will be one of his primary responsibilities and he’ll help strengthen CES in many ways. You don’t know how this boxing business works unless you’ve done it and you’ve paid your dues. Rich has done all of that for years. He knows what it takes. We both believe in this move. Rich has developed a lot of valuable relationships that will help CES.

“We want to expand our market to include Philadelphia, New Jersey, parts of New York, and all of New England. The bottom line is filling up arenas. To do so, we must give fans more value for their entertainment dollar, which is more important than ever in these trying times. Pooling our resources like this makes so much sense. Everybody involved in CES is supporting this move because it strengthens our position.

“What we’re doing is a good example of what was discussed at the recent Boxing Promoters Association. We want to be one of the strongest promoters in the country and, to do that, we have to work with each other. We already have a strong team and it’s even stronger now with the addition of Rich Cappiello. You can’t buy his experience in this business.”

Cappiello, who also owns a gym in Brockton, wanted to go in another direction. “In today’s bad economic times,” he said, “working together makes a lot of sense. It makes both of us stronger. I’m confident that this will be a permanent relationship. I talked about doing this with some other promoters, but I know that Jimmy was the best fit. We competed, as promoters, but there were no vendettas. I’m a New Englander and I feel better working with somebody who has worked here for so long and I can meet with by just driving a few miles.

“The economics of boxing are so different today that it’s become difficult to survive. Other guys are coming into New England but, working together, we will be able to dominate this area. For me, it’s basically a merger, but it’s still CES. I just want to build champions and I can be much more effective doing that this way. We’ve discussed this for a while, not just once or twice. I still have about 15 fighters under contract, including some good young talent that will eventually fight for CES. I see myself doing different things for CES. I’ll be concentrating on things such as fighter development instead of being involved with all aspects of running the business. It’s going to be a process, but we’re going to make a good team.”

For more information about CES, its 2009 schedule or fighters, go online to www.cesboxing.com or call 401.724.2253.

-CES-

CONTACT:

Bob Trieger

Full Court Press

978.664.4482

bobtfcp@hotmail.com