Fundraising Gala for Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
I had a great time at the 2015 Raging Babe Soirée held on April 29 just steps away from the glittering lights of the famed Vegas Strip. Here’s my recap and snapshots from this exclusive event with the Raging Babe team including Michelle Rosado (Raging Babe CEO), sister Jenny Rosado (Raging Babe VP of Operations) and the evening’s host Jackie Kallen (“The First Lady of Boxing”). The night honored Michelle Corrales-Lewis (COO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame), widow of beloved champion Diego “Chico” Corrales. A percentage of the funds donated will benefit the nonprofit Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) founded by CEO Rich Marotta.
This “Reaching New Heights” fundraising gala held at the LINQ Promenade featured a fabulous and fierce group of ladies all working in or are connected to the sport of boxing. It was an honor to be part of this invite-only affair attended by my fellow media associates, pro fighters/champs Layla McCarter and Ava Knight, wives and family members of boxing champs and trainers, and businesswomen working in the sport. The timing was perfect as Vegas was the epicenter with the Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown taking place along with boxing shows on Thursday and Friday too.
It’s no secret that boxing has long been a male-dominated sport, an “old boys network.” The Soirée gave us all a chance to take a break from our busy schedules and enjoy this sisterhood, our own “boxing sorority.” The night was one to meet, network and socialize in a supportive environment while raising funds for the NVBHOF (their Hall of Fame inductions will be this August). And it is inspiring and refreshing that the Raging Babe herself, Michelle Rosado, has seen her annual gathering continue to grow each year. This year’s bash was attended by over 50 influential women involved in boxing.
“Our Raging Babe network keeps growing with each event,” the vivacious Rosado told me a few days after her event. “It’s really inspiring to see so many influential women pioneering together and supporting one another in the sport of boxing.”
Our night began with dinner and cocktails (3-Point Tequila) enjoyed at Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar. During the night, we all introduced ourselves while tasting the delicious menu at Chayo. There were special presentations with Michelle Rosado, Michelle Corrales-Lewis, WBC champ Ava Knight and Nancy Rodriguez (Supreme Boxing and WBC). A plaque and gifts were given to Corrales-Lewis and a sugar sculpture (by sugar artist Kai) of Rosado’s Raging Babe logo was displayed at the head of the table.
All the attendees also received Raging Babe wristbands, World Boxing Council (WBC) pin and a WBC Cares coloring book.
After dinner and drinks at Chayo, we were ready to take a ride on the High Roller (which rises 550). As we boarded our private cabin, we each picked up a glass of pink Champagne courtesy of DJ Nina 9. Jackie Kallen (a mentor and inspiration to so many, including myself) had us raise our glasses in a toast to the night. The High Roller was a memorable experience as the 360 degree view of the city surrounded us. Once back on the ground, the fun continued. We walked over to visit the legendary Sprinkles Cupcakes where we devoured Red Velvet cupcakes adorned with the Raging Babe logo (edible too, of course!).
While the night was one of laughs and good times, we are all also aware of how hard this group of women work. Yes, we work just as hard as the men in boxing and continue to fight to be recognized on equal standing. But this team of females do not project any bitterness. Instead, we continue to hustle, work hard, be professional and strive for more in the sweet science.
“Being with so many beautiful, interesting women was a real treat for me,” Jackie Kallen mentioned to me as she was on her way back to Michigan. “I saw old friends and made new ones. It was a terrific evening.”
Jackie Kallen is definitely a pioneer who has paved the way and set a high standard for all of us. Personally, it was great to catch up with Jackie, who continues to work in boxing while living near Detroit. I also was happy to chat with WBC champ Ava Knight, who’s currently training at the UFC Gym in Las Vegas and the BKB champ and numerous title holder Layla McCarter. Both warriors remain humble and are worthy ambassadors in the fight game.
I also got to reconnect with some women I first met years ago through boxing events including Shelley Williams (former commissioner of the International Female Boxers Association), Eva Futch (widow of legendary trainer Eddie Futch), Dawn Kelley (wife of ex-champ Kevin “Flushing Flash” Kelley), Greg Cohen Promotions’ Sarah Fina (who flew out from Brooklyn, New York) and more. The Soirée also gave us the opportunity to meet new people too as I had the chance to greet Kiki Spicer (wife of Mike Tyson), Millette Adams (wife of former champion Bones Adams), Sunshine Boxing’s Jackie Sunshine Smith (who traveled from Atlanta, Georgia) and many who were looking forward to the big fight week. I also caught up with boxing correspondent Crystina Poncher, who had a packed schedule ahead of her with interview and broadcast duties for the mega match ahead.
All the women were linked together by our love of boxing. It was an excellent tribute to these fearless females who work in the sport and remain focused on continuing to make strides in the field.
This yearly Raging Babe Soirée was made possible by Michelle Rosado, President of Raging Babe Events and Marketing, and the generous sponsors (Champs Boxing & Fitness, Danbury, CT, WBC, Ramblin Ralph, Sprinkles Cupcakes, etc.) for the night. And this annual Soirée was right before Rosado’s move back to Philly as she continues to work in promoting boxing.
There were many highlights during the function and it was an honor to be part of this group of strong, hardworking women with a mutual sense of respect among the guests.
And there was no better guest of honor than Michelle Corrales-Lewis. This mother of five kids is also the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. While married to the late Diego Corrales, Michelle knows the ins and outs of boxing and Rich Marotta says she’s the perfect addition to the NVBHOF.
“It was a privilege and honor to be recognized by Michelle Rosado and the Raging Babe organization,” Corrales-Lewis says. “The NVBHOF is very dear to me and the fact that an organization cares enough to help us support our mission within the boxing community is a wonderful thought.”
Boxing may still be a male-dominated sport but on this night, it was the women who ruled!
The 2015 honoree, Michelle Corrrales-Lewis, agrees: “The Soirée is an absolute perfect way for the women within the sport of boxing to take a much needed moment to simply enjoy one another’s company and build a solid foundation of support.”
Congrats to Raging Babe and Team Corrales. AND CHEERS TO THE LADIES IN BOXING!
Photos by Michele Chong/ Additional photos courtesy of NVBHOF/Jairo Pardo
