News: Kronk Fundraiser; Corley vs Galli; Broadhurst vs Owusu

The Kronk Gym is internationally known for turning out champion boxers. Its founder, Emanuel Steward, has become a legend of the ring. But fewer people know all the good work Kronk does for the youth of Metro Detroit, helping to instill in them a sense of pride and respect for their community. To celebrate its storied history and to raise money so it can help even more kids, The Kronk Gym Foundation is holding its first annual fundraiser on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at the Townsend Hotel, in Birmingham, MI..

The proceeds from this event will help expand youth activities, which will be housed in the new Kronk Gym.

Since its founding in 1969, the Kronk Gym has provided a recreational outlet for many youngsters in the metropolitan Detroit area. Through the coaching and guidance they received, some of these youths went on to become world-class athletes. More of them became world-class citizens.

To perpetuate this legacy, Emanuel Steward created the Kronk Gym Foundation this year, a nonprofit organization committed to making a difference in the well-being of youth through character-building, education and recreation. The program’s goal is to provide recreational facilities, in addition to mentoring and tutoring, for the overall development of youth in Metro Detroit.

Emanuel Steward says, “For many youngsters who have unfortunate home lives, the Kronk Gym and its programs are crucial.

“They are the difference between a life on the streets and a life of accomplishment.”

The fund-raiser will be a fun-filled event, with plenty of celebrities, dinner, good wine and a live and silent auction.

Special awards will be given to people who have shown the caring side of the boxing and sporting worlds. Among the recipients will be Sugar Ray Leonard, Detroit’s own Thomas Hearns, Roger Penske, Don Barden, Dr. Stuart Kirschenbam, long-time Kronk supporter Sam Lafata, among others.

The live auction will feature items sure to turn the head of boxing fans: a one-of-a-kind boxing robe, autographed by boxing legends, and several pairs of autographed boxing gloves signed by Oscar De La Hoya, among other champions.

Honorary chairs for the event are the current Heavyweight Champion of the World Wladimir Klitschko and former Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis.

Sponsors include former Detroit Red Wing Igor Larionov, whose private label wines will be featured at the reception, and Italmoda, the Eurostyle furniture store in Royal Oak.
The VIP Reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. The general reception and silent auction will start at 6 p.m.

Ticket are $500 for the VIP reception ($5,000 for VIP tables) and $200 for individual tickets. They can be purchased at www.KronkGymFoundation.org or by calling (248) 917-1793.

Donations for the auctions are still being accepted. It’s a good way to gain exposure for your company, while doing a good deed for the community. For information about the auction, call (248) 917-1793.

DeMarcus Corley-Wilson Enrique Galli Headlines Feb. 3 Darwish Brothers Show

East Rutherford, NJ- Former Junior-Welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley will face Wilson Enrique Galli of Uruguay in the ten-round main event of the February 3 Darwish Brothers Knockout Promotions show entitled “Knockout Night” at the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel in East Rutherford, NJ.

Corley, 32-10-1 (18 KO) from Washington DC won the WBO 140 pound title when he knocked out Felix Flores in the first round in 2001. Corley made two successful defenses before losing a close decision to Zab Judah. Over the course of Corley’s career he has faced top caliber opposition, including near-knockouts of Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Hopefully he’s coming to fight because I’m coming to fight,” Corley says. “Come Tuesday night, there will be a knockout. Everybody is going to see a different Demarcus Corley. I badly want to be world champion again and Galli is standing in my way.”

After this fight Corley plans to target IBF junior-welterweight champion Juan Urango, which he calls “an easy fight.”

Galli, 31-8 (13 KO), is nicknamed “Topadora,” which translates in Spanish to “Bulldozer”. Galli’s professional career has seen him compete in five different countries but this will be his first appearance in America. Galli challenged for the WBO lightweight title and has hungered for another shot at the top.

“I’m very excited about this fight,” Galli says. “I’m coming to win this one. I’m still very capable and I will give it my best. They call me ‘Topadora’ because I always come forward and I’m going to bulldoze my opponent.”

“These two guys both need wins very badly,” says Wally Darwish. “With over 40 fights each and 30 wins, a win here could be a defining moment in their careers and lead to an opportunity to once again fight for a world championship. I’m very excited about this matchup.”

The rest of card will be announced shortly. This event is sponsored in part by Gold’s Gym of Teterboro, Martial Maxx of Teterboro, Lace of Wayne and Platinum Dollz of Clifton.

Tickets, priced $100 for Ringside and $50 for Reserved, are on sale now and almost sold out. Tickets purchased for the original January 22 date will be honored at the door. For more information on Knockout Promotions, visit http://www.darwishbrothers.com . For ticket purchase information and other inquiries, call (973) 339-9611. The Sheraton Hotel is located at 2 Meadowlands Plaza in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

BROADHURST GETS AFRICAN TEST

Commonwealth Super-Flyweight champion Don Broadhurst faces another African test on February 28 in his native Birmingham.

The unbeaten 25-year-old defeated Isaac Quaye to lift his first championship title last October.

And now the pint sized scrapper will meet a second Ghanaian at the National Indoor Arena, Isaac Owusu.

The Ghanaian super-flyweight champion has, like Broadhurst beaten Quaye on points over 12 rounds and is a hard-hitting pro of five years.

Owusu, who has a record of 11 wins with only one loss and five knockouts, steps in after Broadhurst’s original opponent, Andy Bell, withdrew after failing a BBBofC drug test last month.

“These Africans are always tough opponents, so I’m going to have to be at my best,” said Broadhurst.

“I don’t think I’ve hit any opponent harder than I did Quaye, and he was still standing there at the end, so I’m going to earn my money against Owusu.

“In many respects he’s a tougher oppponent than Andy Bell, but that suits me down to the ground because I want to be tested when I fight.

“My aim is to add the British title later this year and then go after European and World honours.

“It’s great to be earning good money but my legacy and putting Birmingham boxing back on the map are what’s important to me.

“I want my great-grandchildren to be reading about me in fifty or sixty years time and saying I was a great champion.”

Joint-headlining the bill will be Matt Skelton’s Commonwealth Heavyweight Title showdown with Martin Rogan, plus the glittering professional debuts of the 2008 Olympians, Frankie Gavin, Billy Joe Saunders and James DeGale.

Tickets, priced at £30, £50, £100 and £150, are available from:

Ticket Factory
0844 338 8000