Annual Fundraising Event For Charity
It was one “Wild West” Fight Night XVIII at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin, California as five bouts of action took place in the ring at the annual fundraiser benefiting this year’s recipients, the Jessie Rees Foundation (“Never Ever Give Up”) and the Marconi Foundation for Kids. Thompson Boxing Promotions’ Founder/President Ken Thompson and General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo were also part of last year’s festivities as well as promoting this March 11 fight night.
This was my second year attending this sports spectacular and it is always a memorable event for all. The Marconi museum is known for its luxury autos, rare cars and more. Founder Dick Marconi has ties to boxing and is well known in Southern California and beyond for his business, sports and philanthropic endeavors. I first met Marconi through the late Chuck Bodak, who was a veteran cutman and cornerman. And Dick’s wife Priscilla “Bo” Marconi (CEO) continues to give back to the community with her work in nonprofit organizations. This dynamic duo combine their love of the sweet science with their passion for helping others in this yearly Friday night gala.
Here’s my recap on the spirited fight night and fiesta at the Marconi headquarters!
This year’s them was a Western-style “hoedown” that made for one spirited night. Guests were decked out in their finest Western wear complete with cowboy boots, shiny buckles and leather boots. There was a cool horseshoe-shaped ice bar with Tito’s Vodka showcased, a fun photo booth with cowgirl Kendra and cowboy Adam posing with the attendees, chocolate cake pops by Albert’s Petite Sweets, and a massive silent auction and a thrilling live auction with the proceeds going to the two nonprofits. There were also performances by talented tenor Marco Antonio Lozano and a rousing Neil Diamond tribute by Jason Lohrke. The soirée was classy and lively as ticket holders walked the red carpet and enjoying appetizers and cocktails before the fights began.
The two special celebrity guests in the crowd were boxing superstar “Sugar” Shane Mosley and NFL star, Olympian and Super Bowl Champ Willie Gault (Bears and Raiders). Pro fighters were also supporting the gathering including undefeated pro Oscar “Jaguar” Negrete and former California State Champ Andy Nance along with some familiar faces in boxing like Cesar Garcia, Eddie Sanchez, Steve Harpst, Gil “Candyman” Nieves, Markey Nieves, and more.
This annual bash is one of the most prestigious affairs to attend and the boxers and their corners said they were excited to be part of the fundraiser.
Erik Rees created his foundation in tribute to his young daughter Jessie, 12, who passed away from brain cancer in 2012. It was Jessie’s wish “to help every kid fighting cancer to NEVER EVER GIVE UP.” Thus began the “JoyJars” filled with toys and activities that the foundations gives free to kids fighting deadly illnesses. This is the second year in a row that Team Marconi has partnered up with the Jessie Rees Foundation. In one moving moment, little boy named James was brought into the ring by Erik Rees. James is currently battling cancer and the tot was given a pair of boxing gloves as the crowd encouraged him to keep fighting.
And the generous donations poured in quickly from the get-go. In the first 20 minutes, $100,000 was raised from the crowd. While the final figures are still being tallied, the big-ticket auctions were also a big hit. A fluffy pooch was brought out to meet the guests before going up for auction. “Bandit” a Golden Retriever puppy, 11 weeks old, was involved in a bidding war before the winner claimed him for $10,000. Also amid the prizes up for bid was a coveted prize: a one-of-a-kind day with Sugar Ray Leonard (training session, lunch and photo ops for up to 8 people) that fetched a whopping $11,000.
The estimated 430 spectators enjoyed a filet mignon and chicken dinner while watching five live matches promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. Yes, surrounded by exotic automobiles and fancy cars was a standard size boxing ring. This unique fight night was sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission and the shootout in the ring began with a crowd-pleasing “chick fight” as ring announcer Sonny Franco began the introductions.
The matchups began with a bang with the female warriors featured in a four rounder. Los Angeles’ Kaiyana Rain won a unanimous decision 39-37 over the pro debuting Vu Mai from San Diego. The junior flyweights gave the crowd a taste in what women’s boxing is like. Many of the guests hadn’t seen fight in the ring before and the two women had the crowd cheering. During the next bout, slick Israel Duffus (who trained in nearby Big Bear) went toe to toe versus rugged Gilberto Rubio from Los Mochis. Their scrap entertained the audience as the judges scored it a unanimous decision for Duffus. In the next scrap, Kenneth Sims Jr. also won a UD over his opponent Tavorus Teague.
In the co-feature Shane Mosley Jr. wowed the crowd with a knockout victory in the third round of a scheduled four. Winning his sixth fight as a pro, young Mosley showed his speed and power over his foe Cameron Rivera. There were three generations of Team Mosley (Jack Mosley, Shane Mosley and Shane Jr.) in the corner celebrating Junior’s KO and latest win as a professional prizefighter.
And the main attraction saw Jhonatan “Momo” Romero winning a unanimous decision over tough veteran Ruben Tamayo. Romero scored a knockdown in the first stanza and continued to punch away in his battle with Tamayo. After eight rounds of action, Colombian featherweight “Momo” won his 29th victory as a pro and also nabbed a special jewel-encrusted “Marconi Foundation for Kids” championship belt for the winner of the main event.
The fundraising party was classy–and festive–with the whole Western atmosphere and attention to details impressing the crowd. It made for one grand night of rip-roaring fun– and a knockout night to help the charities!
Photos by Michele Chong
