There are few things in life that Sergio Martinez takes as serious as his boxing. His work with the anti-bullying “It Gets Better Campaign” (click on link to watch Sergio talk about the campaign) is one of them. The middleweight champion, and top three pound-for-pound fighter in the world, who will be defending his title next Saturday, October 1st, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City was devastated when he heard the recent news of Buffalo, New York’s teenager Jamey Rodemeyer who took his own life on Sunday after suffering a year of constant bullying.
“People need to realize that this is a real problem,” stated the champion Martinez. “This isn’t just kids poking innocent fun at one-another, young children are taking their lives over this. Something has to be done. People need to be made aware of how serious the situation actually is.”
For his fight on October 1st, Martinez will have Monique McClain escort him on his ring walk, and also have the young teen carry his championship belt into the ring with her. Monique is another teen who has been a victim of bullying, and who the champion be-friended earlier this year.
“I realize that nothing will bring Jamey back, but if we can start spreading the word, and getting people to understand the seriousness of bullying, then hopefully we can prevent this from happening to someone else.”
Tickets for “Noche de ‘Maravilla'” are priced at $300, $200, $100, and $50, and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, at any Ticketmaster retail outlet, or in person at the Boardwalk Hall box office.
“Noche de ‘Maravilla’: Martinez vs. Barker” is being presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Matchroom Sport, and Caesars Atlantic City, and is sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 6PM ET, with the first bout scheduled for 6:30PM ET. The show will be aired live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT.
