MORGAN PARK — St. Cajetan Parish will again host a series of amateur boxing matches to raise money for the Catholic school as well as needy families in the neighborhood.
Ring Around The Warrior, Round 2 is set for 6-10 p.m. Aug. 19 in the parish parking lot at 2447 W. 112th St. But rain could push the boxing matches inside the school's gym.
Last year, some 800 people attended the event, said Chuck Flynn of Morgan Park, who is a member of St. Cajetan's Men's Club. The group organizes the event, and Flynn's sons, Aidan and Charlie, also step into the ring.
"I love it. I think it is a great character builder," Flynn said of the impact boxing has had on his two teenage boys.
Boxers from age 7-50 are training at the Celtic Boxing Club in Mount Greenwood ahead of Ring Around The Warrior, Round 2. The fundraiser will be held from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 19 at St. Cajetan Parish in Morgan Park. [Supplied Photo]
The Flynn brothers also fought last year, when a crowd of about 400 people was expected. When more than twice as many people showed up, men's club members stepped up to help sell tickets, arrange food and manage the event, Flynn said.
This year, the club is more prepared as additional food vendors have been secured along with a pair of bands that will entertain the crowd between bouts. Calabria Italian Imports, Fat Johnnies Hot Dogs, Waldo Cooney's Pizza and Taco Loco will all be on hand to feed the hungry crowd, Flynn said.
Live music will be provided again from The WEL as well as by Whata Bout Bob, said Flynn, who added food, music and the beer garden will be in the parking lot under tents if it rains.
As for the fighters, 12 exhibition matches are set thus far by fighters between the ages of 7-50, according to Dan Letz, a trainer at the Celtic Boxing Club in Mount Greenwood and a St. Cajetan graduate.
Letz, 33, said several kids from his grade-school alma mater have been hanging out at the gym at 3012 W. 111th St., using boxing as a way to stay in shape for football, basketball and other sports. These same workouts resulted in the first fight night fundraiser.
He and Flynn both expect the second such event to be even bigger.
All fighters will wear headgear and most use gloves that exceed regulations for size. Most of the fights will also be three 1-minute rounds. Experienced referees will be on hand, and there will be no winners or losers called at the end of each bout.
It will cost $15 for adults and $5 for kids to attend the event.
Tommy McGuire will again be among the fighters and will take on his classmate Michael Menard. Both of the 13-year-old boys attend nearby St. John Fisher School in West Beverly.
McGuire said boxing is an exciting sport, and Ring Around The Warrior was a highlight last year. That said, he doesn't expect any awkward moments in the hallways at school with his opponent, Menard.
"It not really a fight. It's boxing. It just for fun," McGuire said. "It's not like we are going out there to kill each other."
