The Vision (and The Visionary) Keeps Marching On
Joe Roberts, Jr. Founder of Fight For Children and Fight Night DC gets escorted on stage. Photos/CD Brown.
(DC UrbanSports) - What Joseph E. Robert, Jr. launched in 1990 as a way to give back to the community in which he and his employees lived and worked has lasted 21 years. Each year the annual Fight Night (Fight For Children DC night) annual fundraising event brings together all genres of American culture for a common cause.
From business and entertainment, to sports and politics, and the U.S. military, the tiny vision of trying to help area youth receive quality education continues. In 2008, the organization awarded 16 grants, totaling $600,000 to area organizations.
The Stellar Line Up
Fans never tire of seeing the aged, yet still agile, living legends of boxing enter on stage with the assistance of youthful and buxom young ladies wearing long evening gowns.
Boxing legends pose with ring announcer Michael Buffer and MC, James Gibson. Notice the playful act of Jake LaMotta at Michael Buffer.
Returning each year to help champion the cause for children are a legendary lineup of championship boxers: Ernie Shavers (The 2010 Fight Night Hall of Fame inductee), Smokin' Joe Frazier, Gerry Cooney, Larry Holmes, Jake LaMatta, and Ray 'Boom Boom Mancini' who continue to wow and amaze the crowd. A few boxers jab, fists held high, in each boxer's signature boxing stance. Smokin' Joe Frazier shadowboxed for a whole two minutes before being introduced, as if he were about to go 10 rounds. Each boxer, knowing the importance of using their celebrity status, appreciate the opportunity to lend their support while being on a grand stage, one more time.
The Entertainment
Past performers have included the incomparable Ms. Patty Austin, and punk rock's own, Joan Jett. This year's entertainment brought out the 1970's rock group Grand Funk Railroad , singing their hit fan favorites: 'We're An American Band', and 'Some Kind of Wonderful'.
A Patriotic Performance
Fitting for a Veterans Day holiday, several ranking members of the U.S. military were honored on stage as the National Anthem played in the background, (audience standing with right hands across chests) and MC (and apparently, singing sensation) James Gibson later singing I'm Proud To Be An American. (Who knew James was a singer too?)
The evening auctioned off another customed chopper. This year, an "Armed Forces" special collectors edition custom chopper (in patriotic red stripes, white stars, and blue) went for for $50,000.
Fight For Children Chair, Ted Leonsis donated $25,000 of his own money, as additional bids kept rolling in to help reach the night's projected fundraising goal of $50,000.
Quotes About Robert
All-in-all another successful (and sold out) night as Fight Night/Fight For Children DC keeps the boys coming back because of one Joe E. Robert. Despite dealing with a his own personal health crisis, the brains behind FN and F4C, Joe Robert continues to receive the kind favor of friends and family.
"I keep coming back because of Joe. Whatever he's supporting, I'm there." - Kenneth 'Baby Face' Edmonds - Musician, producer, entertainment mogul
"Without Joe's help, it would not have been possible." - Robert's sister, Cindy praising her brother for supporting her adoption of now nine year-old Colleen.
The Boxing
The Reason It's Called 'Fight Night'
Not to be overshadowed by all the other events on the night, there was professional boxing that took place.
In the Main Event, judges called the bout between Laurel MD's Ikem "The Warrior" Orji and Cleveland OH's Yaundale "Money Shot" Evans (right photo) in two minutes, ten seconds of the eighth, and final round. Yaundale improves his record 9-6, while Orji (6-3, 2 KOs) too, lives to fight another day.
The welterweight match up between Dontre King (3-8) vs Benjamin Olingo was won in King's favor by unanimous decision. King sent Olingo to the pavement early in the bout's first round.
The Amateur fight on the evening between Antoine Douglas of Alexandria, VA Sgt. Robert Evans of Norfolk, VA was stopped in the third round by judge's decision.
Related
Fight For Children Recipients
School Night
Special Thanks!
Special thanks to the team of BWF PR for all you do.
DC UrbanSports. © 2010 All rights reserved.
Grow your business. Advertise on DC UrbanSports.
(DC UrbanSports) - What Joseph E. Robert, Jr. launched in 1990 as a way to give back to the community in which he and his employees lived and worked has lasted 21 years. Each year the annual Fight Night (Fight For Children DC night) annual fundraising event brings together all genres of American culture for a common cause.
From business and entertainment, to sports and politics, and the U.S. military, the tiny vision of trying to help area youth receive quality education continues. In 2008, the organization awarded 16 grants, totaling $600,000 to area organizations.
The Stellar Line Up
Fans never tire of seeing the aged, yet still agile, living legends of boxing enter on stage with the assistance of youthful and buxom young ladies wearing long evening gowns.
Returning each year to help champion the cause for children are a legendary lineup of championship boxers: Ernie Shavers (The 2010 Fight Night Hall of Fame inductee), Smokin' Joe Frazier, Gerry Cooney, Larry Holmes, Jake LaMatta, and Ray 'Boom Boom Mancini' who continue to wow and amaze the crowd. A few boxers jab, fists held high, in each boxer's signature boxing stance. Smokin' Joe Frazier shadowboxed for a whole two minutes before being introduced, as if he were about to go 10 rounds. Each boxer, knowing the importance of using their celebrity status, appreciate the opportunity to lend their support while being on a grand stage, one more time.
The Entertainment
Past performers have included the incomparable Ms. Patty Austin, and punk rock's own, Joan Jett. This year's entertainment brought out the 1970's rock group Grand Funk Railroad , singing their hit fan favorites: 'We're An American Band', and 'Some Kind of Wonderful'.
A Patriotic Performance
Fitting for a Veterans Day holiday, several ranking members of the U.S. military were honored on stage as the National Anthem played in the background, (audience standing with right hands across chests) and MC (and apparently, singing sensation) James Gibson later singing I'm Proud To Be An American. (Who knew James was a singer too?) The evening auctioned off another customed chopper. This year, an "Armed Forces" special collectors edition custom chopper (in patriotic red stripes, white stars, and blue) went for for $50,000. Fight For Children Chair, Ted Leonsis donated $25,000 of his own money, as additional bids kept rolling in to help reach the night's projected fundraising goal of $50,000.Quotes About Robert
All-in-all another successful (and sold out) night as Fight Night/Fight For Children DC keeps the boys coming back because of one Joe E. Robert. Despite dealing with a his own personal health crisis, the brains behind FN and F4C, Joe Robert continues to receive the kind favor of friends and family.
"I keep coming back because of Joe. Whatever he's supporting, I'm there." - Kenneth 'Baby Face' Edmonds - Musician, producer, entertainment mogul
"Without Joe's help, it would not have been possible." - Robert's sister, Cindy praising her brother for supporting her adoption of now nine year-old Colleen.
The Boxing
The Reason It's Called 'Fight Night'
Not to be overshadowed by all the other events on the night, there was professional boxing that took place.
In the Main Event, judges called the bout between Laurel MD's Ikem "The Warrior" Orji and Cleveland OH's Yaundale "Money Shot" Evans (right photo) in two minutes, ten seconds of the eighth, and final round. Yaundale improves his record 9-6, while Orji (6-3, 2 KOs) too, lives to fight another day.The welterweight match up between Dontre King (3-8) vs Benjamin Olingo was won in King's favor by unanimous decision. King sent Olingo to the pavement early in the bout's first round.
The Amateur fight on the evening between Antoine Douglas of Alexandria, VA Sgt. Robert Evans of Norfolk, VA was stopped in the third round by judge's decision.
Related
Fight For Children Recipients
School Night
Special Thanks!
Special thanks to the team of BWF PR for all you do.
DC UrbanSports. © 2010 All rights reserved.
Grow your business. Advertise on DC UrbanSports.
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