Brick City Boxing

AMATEUR BOXING COMPETITION AT JESSE ALLEN PARK, SATURDAY, JULY 26, AT 4 P.M.

Regional boxers ages 12 and up will compete for trophies and "Dukes of Newark" title

Newark, NJ - July 24, 2008 - Mayor Cory A. Booker announced today that Newark residents can enjoy an afternoon of free amateur boxing at Jesse Allen Park on Saturday, July 26, watching regional boxers ages eight through adult, in a variety of weight classes, battle for trophies and prizes. The matches will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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The "Hands Up - Guns Down" boxing event will star boxers from Essex County, New York, Maryland, and Philadelphia, in three groups - 12 to 16 (Junior Olympics), 17 to adult (Senior Division), and Women's Open Division- and a variety of weight classes. The park is between Avon and Muhammad Ali Avenues, on the block between Somerset Street and Irvine Turner Boulevard. No rain date or location has been set.

"This is the kind of entertainment and activity which teaches our youngsters valuable life lessons about discipline, competition, and sportsmanship," Mayor Booker said. "Today I urge all Newark residents to come down and join us on Saturday to cheer on our amateur boxers as they test their skill, training, and conditioning."

While boxers from any city or state can compete for first or second place in their weight and age categories, the "Dukes of Newark" belt will only be given to the top two male boxers from Newark in the Junior Olympic and Senior Division. The "Dukes of Newark" belt is open to all contenders in the Women's Open Division, regardless of their home town. All boxers will weigh in on fight day at noon.

Rob Griffin, one of the boxing coaches in the program, explained its strength for youngsters, saying, "Boxing is an excellent sport to give kids direction; it keeps them off the streets and deters them from gang activity and other bad things...our motto is guns down hands up!"
"I can't save the world, but I can save a few kids," he added, pointing out one of his successes, Shakor Jackson, who was nine years old when he started in Mr. Griffin's program. "He was viewed as a trouble maker who needed medication and as someone who had been kicked out of numerous schools. Thanks to boxing he turned his life around and today at 15 years old is nationally ranked for his weight class."

The event is sponsored by the City of Newark's Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services' Division of Recreational/Cultural Affairs, and the Elite Boxing Club of Newark. It is sanctioned by USA Boxing, which oversees the nation's amateur boxing programs.