Fight For Children's Final Round

It’s so hard to say goodbye; many express disappointment about event ending.

The annual fall event dedicated to helping improve the lives of at-risk-children throughout the Mid-Atlantic has entered its final realm.

Who knew that when its originator, the late Joe Robert, Jr. had the idea to serve the needs of children by bringing the business, financial, sports, and entertainment worlds together, that it would be so impactful?

Joe Robert, Jr. founder of Fight For Children.

And who knew it would last some thirty years later?

Courtesy of FightForChildren.org website.

To provide even more texture, it's the event that raised millions of dollars for children, that honored boxing royalty, and the U.S. military. It's the event that showcased up-and-coming boxers, and hosted musicians of many genres under one cigar smoke-filled venue where glitz and glamour was the order of the evening, and attendees and performers alike can meet their favorite icons. 

Cheap Trick performs during the final Fight For Children. Photo/CD Brown

“I saw Sugar Ray Leonard and [comedian] Chris Tucker”, said Daxx Nielson, drummer and son of Rick Nielson of the 1970's group, Cheap Trick.

The band served as the evening’s headline entertainment.

Daxx, whose group is set to release a new album next summer, sat down with DC UrbanSports for an impromptu interview.

Sugar Ray Leonard poses with Charlie Brotman, renowned PR professional, with  Michael Spinks and Ray Mancini  (background). Photo/CD Brown.

“It’s crazy seeing all the legendary boxers…”, he said, referring to the stellar lineup of boxing legends like Larry Holmes, Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini, Michael Spinks, Gerry Cooney and other boxing legends who have lent their support each year.

The group performed several of their classics like, ‘I Want You To Want Me’, ‘Surrender’, and ‘Dream Police’.

A great night to celebrate

Among the many attendees was Virginia Senator Mark Warner, who praised Mr. Robert for his vision.

“I’ve been attending a number of years”, Warner said.

“Joe Robert was an incredible philanthropist and business guy. The cause has always been great and the fact that this thirty-year legacy is coming to an end, it’s a great night to celebrate", he said.

Washington Redskins cheerleaders perform during the final Fight Night For Children. Photo/ CD Brown.

Fight Night boxing match winner, Samuel Teah, connects to the head of opponent Sonny Frederickson. Photo CD Brown.

The celebration included auctioned sports memorabilia; a risque cheerleaders performance; a ten-round boxing exhibition that saw winner Samuel Teah (16-3-1) unanimously grant opponent Sonny Frederickson (22-1-1) his first lost. It was a celebration that ended with an after party with 90's Naughty By Nature hip hop hooray-ing a crowd of fanatical execs and business people alike as they shouted, in unison, the group's signature catch phrase, Hey!, Ho!

The group tells DC UrbanSports they will be celebrating thirty years together  next year. Also in 2020, it will be the 25th year of their Grammy-winning album Poverty's Paradise.

After thirty years, the trio is still in demand, performing at some of the hottest shows and venues.

"We just finished closing out the VMAs a month or two in Jersey at the Prudential Center, said Vin Rock. 

"Us, Queen Latifah, Fetty Wap; it was crazy", he said.

The group also says fans can expect to see them in films next year.

"Films and music", said Treach. "Films and music."

"Time to move on."

Many Fight For Children supporters are disappointed that the house that entrepreneur Joe Robert, Jr. built will be closing its doors as we know it, but have hope that the good works will continue.

“I’ve been here for many, many years, said former Redskin and ESPN 980 football analysis Brian ‘B. Mitch’ Mitchell. I’ve spent money here and I think it’s a great cause, he said.

“I’m upset that it’s ending because if you look at the amount of money they collect in one night for children’s charities, and things like that, you want to see that keep going. It’s been thirty years, and I always look at it like, things end; everything ends, but you have to find another way to branch off into other aspects and I definitely think they will do that”, Mitchell said.

Fight For Children gifts Children's National $5M. Photo CD Brown.

Like Mitchell, others also have hope the organization will continue its good works.

Former Washington Bullets NBA stand out Gheorghe Muresan, who is still a fan favorite in D.C., said he hopes the organization continues as well.

"It's a very good cause for kids", Muresan said. "I hope they will continue. I hope they change their minds and continue", he said.

Fight for Children sponsor, Vice Chair and Owner of Monumental Sports, that include the Washington Wizards, the World Champion WNBA Washington Mystics and the World Champion Washington Capitals sports teams, Raul Fernandez, said it's just time to "move on."

"We’ve been super successful, we’ve raised a lot of money for kids, [and] we’re going to give away lot of money now and the next couple of years" said Fernandez. 

Fight for Children sponsors honored with red boxer robes. Photo/CD Brown.

"But there’s a time in life where you’ve just got to say, listen, it’s time to move on and have others do different things, and we’ll do different things as well."

Fernandez tells DC UrbanSports that the organization will still “100%” continue to help children, but that coming up with new ideas for the yearly event was hard.

“Having an event that’s gone thirty years in Washington that’s so well attended is really hard”, Fernandez said.

“It’s hard to come up with something new every year so, it was the right time to take a pause and thank everyone over the thirty years, and move on.” 

"Joe would have wanted, at the right time, when things change and we need to think about different ways of raising money (and spending money), that we were entrepreneurial like he was, and call it a day", he said.

"But we're here to celebrate success, and success is the kids we've helped."

Thank you Fight for Children for thirty years of providing selfless opportunities and education to children.

Hip hop, hooray!

A few more items from the evening.

Menu: 16 oz NY strip, grilled asparagus, baby carrots, baked stuffed potatoes, toffee cheescake.

Celebs and dignitaries in attendance: Mama Durant (mother of NBA star Kevin Durant), Fox News, Bret Baier, former Redskin Fred Davis (Did you know he has his own CBD biz?), D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Hey, Joe!, is the song written for FightForChildren founder Joe Robert, Jr. by his friend Kenneth (BabyFace) Edmonds. Click here to listen.


Updated 11/17 - 10:50 a.m.