BRIGHTON PARK — Joe Maloney is glad to have his stolen car back — even if it now has two bullet holes and an engine that doesn’t work.
The 19-year-old Oak Lawn boxer lost his 2005 Lincoln LS in a July 9 carjacking outside Sam Colonna’s Boxing, where police say at least two robbers held him at gunpoint, shoved him to the ground and took off with the car.
To Maloney’s surprise, police found the car on July 15 near South Trumbull and West 5th avenues.
The Lincoln had an empty gas tank, a broke-down engine and two bullet holes, one on the rear bumper and another above the driver’s side wheel well. Possessions Maloney had in the car — custom boxing gloves, a championship belt and blood pressure medication — are still missing.
“Everything's gone," Maloney said.
News of Maloney’s troubles eventually reached Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez, a pro boxer who trains at Sam Colonna’s Boxing.
Jimenez called up one of his sponsors, Rival Boxing Gear, and got them to outfit Maloney with new gloves, shoes, headgear and a mouth piece — everything he needs to be comfortable at the gym.
“I wanted to help him out and to be there to get him whatever boxing gear he lost so he could follow his dreams and get back into the ring,” Jimenez said. "Some people would fold and take it as it is, but it's not the first time things have happened to him as far as health issues. He keeps showing up strong.”
In December 2014, doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed Maloney with mast cell activation disorder (MCAD), a sickness that impairs the immune system, causes dizziness and stirs up episodes similar to a bad allergic reaction.
He didn’t let the sickness slow him.
In 2015, Maloney traveled to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and won four fights in five days to win the National TITLE Boxing Tournament in the 156-pound division.
But Maloney’s health declined again in January, when he had a stroke in his bedroom, landing him in the hospital for weeks.
He has since returned to Sam Colonna’s Boxing, where he trains four times a week.
“He’s one hell of a tough kid,” Jimenez said.
Maloney will use his new gear Wednesday, when he steps into the ring for the first time since the stroke. He’ll fight at Joe Maddon’s second annual charity boxing event, Respect 90 Main Event.
“I’m so excited,” Maloney said.
The best part? Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez will be in the young pugilist's corner.
"It takes a lot of heart and he has a big spirit to want to get back in there," Jimenez said. "That motivates me."
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