Long Island Fight for Charity, the nation’s only all volunteer amateur charity boxing event, held its 16th annual main event Nov. 25 at the Hilton Long Island/Huntington.

The evening’s Fight Card featured nine matches between local business professionals turned volunteer boxers. The event attracted more than 1,000 fans eager to cheer and support each of the charity boxers. Before the bouts, the popular fund raiser opened with networking and a spectacular food and beverage tasting provided by more than 35 local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and bakeries.

“This year’s volunteer boxers showed everyone that they had the drive and commitment to raise money and the courage to get in the ring,” said Jeff Cohen Co-Founder of the Long Island Fight for Charity. “For the first time we premiered a Long Island Fight for Charity inspired short film, What Are a Few Punches Worth, and the crowd loved it. This film was the vision of boxer Adam “The Hard Drive” Schwam and Bert “The Collector” Lurch who met in the ring immediately after the movie.” 

This year’s charity boxers trained for months in preparation to box in the 16th Main Event. Three alumni boxers: Schwam, Sarah “Big Mama” Walters, and Mikey “Boom Bots” Zaharios, returned to the ring to throw punches in support of LI charities.

More than $80,000 was raised at the event. Checks will be presented to the Long Island Community Chest, The Genesis School, the National Foundation for Human Potential (FREE), and other local charities. Since its founding in 2003, the nonprofit organization has given $1.4 million to charities and people in need.

Sponsors of the event where FBA National, Freedom Mortgage, PinkTie, EmPower Solar, Alure Home Improvements, Barnes laccarino Shepherd, LLP, Lessing’s, Sandwire Managed IT, and Core BTS.

Men and women who want to give back in an extraordinary way are encouraged to apply to be Charity Boxers today. Boxing experience is not required. However, volunteers must have the character and commitment to raise a minimum of $10,000. Boxer must also train, attend meetings and events as well as be available for media during more than six-month long program.

To request and application visit [email protected] or call (877) 240-7821. For more information about the Long Island Fight for Charity go to www.lifightforcharity.org.

For more photos, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJKKMRk

Fight Card for LI Fight for Charity 16th Main Event, November 25, 2019:

Match 1: Alden “The Incredible Hatch” Peffer from Rocky Point, a Major Accounts Manager at Windstream Enterprise in Melville vs. Joseph “Deal Maker” Vozza from East Northport, an attorney at Joseph C. Vozza Attorney at Law, P.C. in Melville

Match 2: Karen “Angel Gloves” Scutellaro from East Islip, a Business Development Manager vs. Virginia “Guns and Buns” DeCeglia from West Babylon, a Senior Software Developer with Financial Force in West Babylon

Bout 3: Asher “The Berkshire Basher” Allweiss from Plainview, a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International Realty in Woodbury vs. Baris “The Turkish Titan” Oztimurlenk from Islip, a social media specialist with Core BTS in Hauppauge

Bout 4: Bert “The Collector” Lurch from Elmont, CEO of E. Central Medical Management in New Hyde Park vs. Adam “The Hard Drive” Schwam from Lynbrook, president and owner of Sandwire Managed IT in Farmingdale

Bout 5: Jay “JDiesel” Torres of Woodside Boxing Queens vs. Charles “The People’s Champ” Castro from East Islip, associated with RCI/Vivid NY

Bout 6: Phil “The Punisher” Sorrentino from Lake Grove, a Certified LI/Metro Specialist with Dupont Tyvek in Farmingdale vs. Dominick “The App Man” Bianco from Amityville, CEO of Kubera Management Corp. in Farmingdale

Bout 7: Jenna “Breaking News” Natale from Lindenhurst, Events Manager with Long Island Business News in Ronkonkoma vs. Tabetha “The Pit Bull” Pradel from New Hyde Park, a Mortgage Loan Originator with Contour Mortgage Corp. in Garden City

Bout 8: Shannon “In Good Hands” Chisholm from Huntington, a Licensed Sales Producer with Zabbia Insurance Agency in Massapequa vs. Sarah “Big Mama” Walters from Babylon, a teacher at Long Island Lutheran High School in Glen Head (boxing for the 2nd time)

Bout 9: Vincent “Vin Bones” Melillo from Huntington, salesperson with FBA National in Huntington vs. Mikey “Boom Bots” Zaharios from Huntington, a substitute teacher and coach at South Huntington Union Free School District (boxing for second time)