CORNWALL, Ontario – Dave Murphy and Dave MacLean will be going head-to-head this Saturday night in support of local charities.
The two Daves will be the celebrity fight headlining a card of amateur boxers, all of whom will be Boxing for Change in support of the Children’s Treatment Centre (CTC).
“I got involved in this event when David Murphy challenged me to take him on in the Celebrity fight for which he is the reigning champ. We we both at the Crafting a Cure fundraiser event last November when the challenge was made….and of course I accepted,” said Dave MacLean. “Since then I have been training at Champs Eastside Boxing Club under the careful watch of Jorge Luis. I attend several days a week plus do some my own work at home. I have no previous boxing experience, what I know now is what I’ve learned over the past several months.”
Admission tickets are $20 and the majority of that profit will be going to support the CTC, but a portion will also be going to support Champs Eastside Boxing.
There will also be two raffles happening that night, one in support of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Cornwall and the other in support of Beyond 21.
Murphy explained that Boxing for Change is a fun way to support these local causes.
“The CTC has taken this event to new heights since taking it over from Agape Centre a few years ago,” he said. “The guest speakers list is always impressive but even more so this year with four all-time great boxing legends. The CTC is a very worthy cause. Combined with money being raised for Champs Boxing Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Beyond 21, this event raises a lot of much needed funds and awareness to these great causes.”
Jane MacLaren of Beyond 21 is thrilled to be a beneficiary of this charity event.
“Beyond 21 is thrilled to be a part of Boxing for Change. From the moment Dave MacLean came and spoke to our participants about the event there has been a buzz of excitement among our group,” she said. “Regardless of who wins in the ring on Saturday, Dave’s respect of and comradery with our participants, leaves Beyond 21 in a position where we know we can’t lose. Our participants have gained a friend and a role model in our community and we are truly grateful.
This year’s special guests will be former pro boxers Micheal Spinks, Ray Mercer, Larry Holmes and George Cooney. There will also be a local musical guest, Cornwall’s own blues musician Paul Deslauriers.
MacLean said that beyond his fight with Murphy, there were also some great bouts to see on the undercard.
“Beyond the Murphy vs MacLean celebrity fight there are going to a number of other great fights including a Guns vs Hoses, Police vs Fire fight featuring our very own Cst. Chris Sullivan against Watertown EMT Fireman James Docteur,” he said. “Its guaranteed to be an amazing and entertaining night and will benefit the CTC, Champs Boxing Club, Beyond 21, and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters!”
MacLean is fairly confident that he will walk out the champ.
“Murph the Smurf and I have been training hard and I look forward Muffling him and stripping him of his belt,” he said.
For his part, Murphy said he was training hard and felt ready.
“I’ve been training a couple of nights a week at Champs Boxing Club as well as training two to three times a week with a personal trainer at Summit Health & Fitness – a lot of cardio mixed in with strength work outs,” he said.
