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10/29/2004 Archived Entry: "Updates on the "Great Northeast Tour""
Updates on the "Great Northeast Tour"
“Irish” Micky Ward strikes blow for U.S. Marines
U.S. Marines Boxing Team tour starts Nov. 9 at The Roxy in Boston
BOSTON, Mass. (October 28, 2004) – One of boxing’s most popular fighters of all-time -- “Irish” Micky Ward -- has been selected as the official goodwill ambassador for the U.S. Marines Boxing Team “Great Northeast Tour,” commencing November 9 at The Roxy in Boston and continuing that week at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Philadelphia.
The Semper Fidelis Society, comprised of former United States Marines, two years ago presented Ward with the inaugural Ted Williams Globe & Anchor Award, presented to a non-Marine for his commitment and dedication to excellence that Williams demonstrated in his life, as well as the hard work and guts Ted showed as a fighter pilot.
The now retired Ward, former WBU light welterweight champion, was involved in an unprecedented three Ring Magazine Fights of the Year – 2003 & 2002 (vs. Arturo Gatti) and 2001 (Emanuel Burton). Another special guest on The Northeast Tour is Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure, gold medal winner in boxing at the 1960 Olympics. He was captain of the 1960 U.S. Boxing Team (teammate of Cassius Clay) and the only U.S. gold-medal winning boxer to earn a doctorate (clinical psychology).
The Roxy hosts the opening leg of the U. S. Marines Boxing Team “Great Northeast Tour” (see full schedule below), promoted by S & L Boxing. The “Fightin’ Leathernecks” will be competing in a three-part amateur boxing series for the benefit of the U.S. Marines Scholarship Fund with other stops at Foxwoods (Nov. 11) and Philadelphia (Nov. 13).
Two of the leading female amateur boxers in the United States, one a Marine and the other an environmental engineer, have been matched Nov. 9 at The Roxy. US Marine Grace Kelly, fighting out of Tacoma (WA) not Monaco, was runner-up in the 146-pound division at the 2004 US National championships. Her opponent will be New England champion (14-0) Lisa Kuronya, fighting out of the Portland (ME) Boxing Club. Kuronya is a graduate of West Chester University (PA) with a degree in environmental engineering. She is a well-known animal rights activist.
Also matched at The Roxy are South Boston’s Matt Ryan, who is coached by Micky Ward, and U.S. Marine Mike Martinez (Snyder, TX) in the 165-pound open division; 2003-2004 Lowell Golden Gloves and USA Boxing Senior Division champion Simeon Dunwell, of Haverhill, and U.S. Marine Eric Canales (Ft. Worth, TX) in the 141-pound open division; Providence’s Miquel Cario and U.S. Marine and Jorge Arjona (Houston, TX) in the 141-pound novice division. More bouts are being matched and will soon be announced. All matches and boxers are subject to change.
While in the Boston area members of the U.S. Marines Boxing Team will have a private tour of Old Ironsides in Boston and be honored at a special assembly Tuesday morning (9:30, Nov. 9) at Somerville High School.
Billy Mills in corner of U.S. Marines again
Nov. 11 show at Foxwoods
MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (October 28, 2004) – Native American Indian sports icon Billy Mills, honorably discharged in 1965 from the U.S. Marines, will be a special honored guest November 11 at the Veterans Day Extravaganza – featuring U.S. Marines, National Native American and Team Connecticut amateur boxing clubs -- at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Mills captured a gold medal in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Born and raised on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, he went on to establish a World record for the six-mile run in 1965, and held seven American track & field marks. Billy also holds five Honorary Doctorate degrees.
Other honored guests at the Veterans Day Extravaganza include Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure, U.S. Army veteran and gold medal winner in boxing at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, and former WBU light welterweight champion and one of boxing’s most popular fighters, “Irish” Micky Ward.
Foxwoods is hosting the second leg of the U. S. Marines Boxing Team Great Northeast Tour (see schedule below), promoted by S & L Boxing. The “Fightin’ Leathernecks” will be competing in a three-part amateur boxing series for the benefit of the U.S. Marines Scholarship Fund with stops at Boston (Nov. 9), Foxwoods and Philadelphia (Nov. 13).
All five branches of the United States military will be well represented at the Veterans Day Extravaganza either in the ring or attendance including the U.S. Marines, Army (West Point), Navy (Groton submarine base), Coast Guard (academy in New London) and Air Force (ROTC at UConn.).
“Throughout history, Native American Indian fighters have been the single largest ethnic group participating in all of this nation’s conflicts,” Mashantucket Tribal Nation CEO and retired U.S. Marine John Guevremont said. Their skills have been legendary, performing missions as diverse as scouting and tracking in front line combat. Native Americans have received dozens of Medals of Honor for valor and service, and have tilted the tide of battle as ‘Code Talkers’ and aviators. Indians taught the Europeans a thing or two about warfare, and the adoption of ‘Indian fighting’ greatly contributed to George Washington prevailing during the Revolutionary War.
“The Marine Corps, our nation’s ‘Force in Readiness,’ has established its reputation through hard fought campaigns – at Nassau, the first amphibious assault it made at the outset of the Revolutionary war ‘from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli’ and now Iraq. Throughout history, the Marines have filled their tough ranks with the few and the proud, and more than their share of Native Americans.
“It is fitting that two tough, patriotic, and uniquely American institutions come together in a competitive, friendly, pugilistic encounter. The Veteran’s Day boxing at Foxwoods might not be the Olympics, but it is no less of an event for those hard hitting men who have trained, sweated and bled for the privilege and the honor of competing with ‘the best and for the best.’
“What would I say to the boxers? ‘At the sound of the bell, come out fighting, win or lose, we are proud of your effort and your courage. America is a better place for having men such as yourselves in the ring’”
Matched in the Veterans Day Extravaganza are two West Point Cadets against two Marines: Army Cadet Matthew Pride, Staten Island (NY) vs. Intra-military champion U.S. Marine Mike Martinez, Snyder (TX), 165-pound open division; Army Cadet David Tyson, Palm Beach (FL) vs. U.S. Marine Michael Stephens, Millrock, Nova Scotia, 152-pound novice division. Stephens has dual citizenship and is of Native American heritage (Micmac tribe).
Also matched are two members of Team Connecticut against two Native American champions: Under-19 U.S. National 132-pound champion Matt Remillard, of Manchester (CT), faces Jackson Bussell, Clamath Falls (NV) and Anthony Grano, of Amston (CT) squares-off against Kevin Riding In, of Tempe (AZ). All matches and boxers are subject to change.
Five other bouts between U.S. Marines and Team Connecticut are being matched. Reserved tickets are priced at $35.00 and $25.00 and available by calling the Foxwoods Box Office 1.800.200.2882 or going on line at www.foxwoods.com
Members of the U.S. Marines Boxing Team will receive a tour of the Pequot Museum at Foxwoods Resort Casino. For more information about the Great Northeast Tour call 1.617.227.9332.
