(MAY 10) Sports and entertainment
celebrities are coming out May 19 to show their support for
"Battle of the Badges 4," featuring amateur boxers representing
the nationally-acclaimed New York City Fire Department Boxing
Team ("FDNY") against a New England Law Enforcement ("Team
N.E.") squad, at Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in
Mashantucket, Connecticut.
"Battle of the Badges 4" ("BOB4") is presented by National
Public Safety Athletic League ("NPSAL") in association with the
FDNY Boxing Bravest, Mass Corrections Officers Federated Union
Boxing Team (MCOFU) and Foxwoods Resort Casino. Defending
champion Team N.E. trails FDNY in the series, 2-1.
Five world champion boxers and two former world title
challengers join a three-time Super Bowl champion, the funniest
man of the planet, one of the hottest singers in the country,
and a popular Boston newscaster at BOB4.
World champion boxers lending their support to BOB4 are two-time
(2001-2003, 2004-2005) WBA Heavyweight Champion John "The
Quietman" Ruiz, of Chelsea (MA), the first and only world
heavyweight champion of Latino heritage; World Welterweight
Champion (1955) Tony "The Pride of Fleet" Street" DeMarco, from
Boston's famed North End, who recently wrote his biography,
"Memoirs of a Boxing Champion"; WBA & World Boxing Council
("WBC") (1979) Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo, of
Brooklyn; WBA Welterweight (2003-2005) & Light Middleweight
(2006-2007) Champion Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera, of
Worcester (MA); IBO Middleweight Champion (2010) Peter Manfredo,
Jr., of Providence.
Other prizefighters committed to attending BOB4 include former
world light welterweight (1976) title challenger Tony Petronelli,
of Brockton (MA); former IBO world light heavyweight title
challenger (1998) John "Iceman" Scully, of Hartford, who was
chief second for "Bad" Chad Dawson in his recent WBC light
heavyweight title-winning performance against Bernard Hopkins;
1991 New England Heavyweight Champion Paul Poirer, of New
Bedford (MA).
Former New England Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi, who
owns three Super Bowl rings, will be in the house with his
family. He has three brothers that are members of the FDNY who
responded to the 9/11/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade
Center. Joe is a cancer survivor who established the Joe
Andruzzi Foundation.
Also making BOB4 appearances are comedian extraordinaire, Lenny
Clarke, star-in-the-making singer James Massone, who competed in
the television show, "The Voice," as well as popular WCVB (#5)
newscaster in Boston, Michelle McPhee.
The world renowned FDNY bagpipers will also be involved in
festivities.
"We're so grateful for having these celebrities, who not only
are supporting our event, but will be there to meet-and-greet
fans," BOB4 spokesperson Denis Marrese said. "Everyone will have
a great time watching entertaining boxing matches and mixing
with these stars. It's all about helping raising funds for Work
Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest in order for
these great charities to continue doing their tremendous charity
work."
Proceeds from the May 19th charitable event will benefit Work
Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest Team. More
than a dozen matches are scheduled pitting FDNY against Team New
England, which is primarily comprised of MCOFU boxers.
Tickets, priced at $30.00 (general admission), $50.00 (reserved
seating) and $100.00 (VIP/Ringside), are available to purchase
at the Foxwoods Box Office, on line at www.foxwoods.com or
www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-855-660-6606 04
1-800.200.2882, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.
Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET with the first match scheduled to start
at 7:30 PM/ET. Go to BattleoftheBadges.info or foxwoods.com for
additional information.
NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY ATHLETIC LEAGUE: "NPSAL" is committed to
fundraising and promoting efficient techniques to promote
recreation and sport/physical activities for youths and adults
for the purpose of maintaining a healthy and positive lifestyle.
FDNY BRAVEST BOXING TEAM: The organization donates all funds
after expenses and has already donated more than $100,000 to
various charities includes The Wounded Warrior Project and
Building Homes For Heroes.
WORK VESSELS FOR VETERANS: "WVFV" assists veterans returning to
the United States as they being their civilian careers or
continue their educational pursuits by donating to them the
necessary start-up tools (laptops, vehicles, machinery, tools,
commercial vessels, etc.). The organization was started in 2008
with the donation of a commercial fishing boat to a returning
veteran and to date has helped more than 500 veterans in their
transitions. wvfv.org
