26.07.04 – Tuohy Sports & Entertainment (TSE) presents the inaugural FIST Celebrity Golf Challenge, benefiting Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training (F.I.S.T.), August 11 at the Hyannis Golf Course (MA).
Tuohy Sports, in association Super Star Promotions/David’s Gym, will promote “Battle Zone At The Tent,” a professional boxing show the previous night (August 10), featuring three Cape Cod fighters, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis. TSE will donate $1.00 to F.I.S.T. for each ticket sold to “Battle Zone At The Tent.”
About Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training
Founded in 1998 by former world heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney, Fighters’ Initiative for Support and Training is a non-profit foundation, based in New York City. F.I.S.T. is dedicated to providing treatment, counseling and career path assistant to fighters who lack resources needed for a successful transition after prizefighting. For more information about F.I.S.T. call 888.765.FIST or visit its Web site at www.helpboxers.org.
“Unlike some other boxing promoters who just take from boxers,” Tuohy explained, “I want to give something back to them and I’ve chosen to do it this way through F.I.S.T. I’ve been fortunate to develop a strong relationship with Gerry Cooney and his wonderful staff. It’s going to be a star-studded two days with many active and former athletes participating in the golf tournament and attending the fights. We believe that this will be the start of something special between Tuohy Sports and F.I.S.T.”
The golf tournament will commence at 1 p.m., followed at 5:30 p.m. by dinner and award presentations at Outback Steakhouse in Hyannis.
In addition to Cooney, other boxers invited to participate in the FIST Celebrity Golf Challenge include WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, “Irish” Micky Ward and Barnstable’s retired Kippy Diggs. Other retired athletes slated to golf include Luis Tiant, Bill Lee and Jim Corsi (Boston Red Sox), Steve Grogan (New England Patriots), Dan Ross (Cincinnati Bengals), and Kenny Hodge (Boston Bruins).
TSE president, promoter Hank Tuohy, of Sandwich, has formed a partnership with fellow Cape Cod boxing promoter David Gonsalves (Super Star Sports/David’s Gym), of Denis, to promote “Battle Zone At The Tent.”
Three Cape Cod boxers will headline “Battle Zone At The Tent” – Falmouth light heavyweight Jay Pina (12-1, 8 KOs), unbeaten Harwich junior welterweight Lenny Silva (12-0, 8 KOs), and Centerville light heavyweight Mike Kouhmouros making his pro debut.
“This really is a three-day event with the weigh-in Monday (at Hooters on Main St., Hyannis), ‘Battle Zone On The Tent’ Tuesday, and the FIST golf fundraiser Wednesday,” Tuohy noted.
Pina takes on David Dawson (13-7, 9 KOs) in the eight-round main event. Silva faces TBA in the six-round co-feature; Kouhmouros is in a four-round bout.
Former Mass. junior welterweight title challenger Jimmy “The Dream” LeBlanc (10-6-3, 3 KOs), of South Boston, squares-off against Shakha Moore (9-8-2, 1 KO), of Norwalk (CT), in a potentially explosive six-round fight. Also on the undercard is Quincy cruiserweight Mike Bonislawski (16-17-2).
Three potential stars of the future also are scheduled to fight on the card in separate four-round matches: super middleweight Joe “Sugar” Rae (1-0, 1 KO), of South Boston via Ireland; junior middleweight Angel Vargas, Haverhill via the Dominican Republic, and super lightweight Castulo Gonzalez, Wilmington via Guatemala, making their pro debuts. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
The official weigh-in for Tuesday night’s boxing show will be held at Hooters in downtown Hyannis, starting at 6 p.m., and is open to the public. A cigar smoker will be held (9 pm) at Electric Café. Another cigar smoker will be held Tuesday evening, after the boxing show, at Puff The Magic.
Full two-night, all-inclusive packages — hotel accommodations, car rentals, golf, and boxing tickets – are available by contacting Tuohy Sports & Entertainment: (toll free) 888.334.4265, (phone) 508.477.5355, (fax) 508.477.4955, hank@tuohysports.com (email).
Visit TSE’s Web site for more information at www.tuohysports.com. “Battle At The Tent” tickets are on sale at the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.9100) and David’s Gym (Rt. 134, Dennis – 508.394.7199), or through TSE. Prices are $125.00 VIP (including an Outback dinner at The Tent starting at 6 pm), $65.00 ringside and $35.00 reserved. Doors open to non-VIP ticket holders at 7 pm with the first bout scheduled for 7:30.