Sports and entertainment celebrities are coming out May 19 to show their support for “Battle of the Badges 4,” featuring amateur boxers representing the nationally-acclaimed New York City Fire Department Boxing Team (“FDNY”) against a New England Law Enforcement (“Team N.E.”) squad, at Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Five world champion boxers and two former world title challengers join a three-time Super Bowl champion, the funniest man of the planet, one of the hottest singers in the country, and a popular Boston newscaster at BOB4.
World champion boxers lending their support to BOB4 are two-time (2001-2003, 2004-2005) World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Heavyweight Champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, of Chelsea (MA), the first and only world heavyweight champion of Latino heritage; World Welterweight Champion (1955) Tony “The Pride of Fleet” Street” DeMarco, from Boston’s famed North End, who recently wrote his biography, “Memoirs of a Boxing Champion”; WBA & World Boxing Council (“WBC”) (1979) Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo, of Brooklyn; WBA Welterweight (2003-2005) & Light Middleweight (2006-2007) Champion Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera, of Worcester (MA); International Boxing Organization (“IBO” Middleweight Champion (2010) Peter Manfredo, Jr., of Providence.
Other prizefighters committed to attending BOB4 include former world light welterweight (1976) title challenger Tony Petronelli, of Brockton (MA); former IBO world light heavyweight title challenger (1998) John “Iceman” Scully, of Hartford, who was chief second for “Bad” Chad Dawson in his recent WBC light heavyweight title-winning performance against Bernard Hopkins; 1991 New England Heavyweight Champion Paul Poirer, of New Bedford (MA).
Former New England Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi, who owns three Super Bowl rings, will be in the house with his family. He has three brothers that are members of the FDNY who responded to the 9/11/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Joe is a cancer survivor who established the Joe Andruzzi Foundation.
Also making BOB4 appearances are comedian extraordinaire, Lenny Clarke, star-in-the-making singer James Massone, who competed in the television show, “The Voice,” as well as popular WCVB (#5) newscaster in Boston, Michelle McPhee.
The world renowned FDNY bagpipers will also be involved in festivities.
“We’re so grateful for having these celebrities, who not only are supporting our event, but will be there to meet-and-greet fans,” BOB4 spokesperson Denis Marrese said. “Everyone will have a great time watching entertaining boxing matches and mixing with these stars. It’s all about helping raising funds for Work Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest in order for these great charities to continue doing their tremendous charity work.”
Proceeds from the May 19th charitable event will benefit Work Vessels For Veterans, NPSAL and FDNY Boxing Bravest Team. More than a dozen matches are scheduled pitting FDNY against Team New England, which is primarily comprised of MCOFU boxers.
Tickets, priced at $30.00 (general admission), $50.00 (reserved seating) and $100.00 (VIP/Ringside), are available to purchase at the Foxwoods Box Office, on line at www.foxwoods.com or www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-855-660-6606 04 1-800.200.2882, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.
Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET with the first match scheduled to start at 7:30 PM/ET.
“Battle of the Badges 4” (“BOB4”) is presented by National Public Safety Athletic League (“NPSAL”) in association with the FDNY Boxing Bravest, Mass Corrections Officers Federated Union Boxing Team (MCOFU) and Foxwoods Resort Casino. Defending champion Team N.E. trails FDNY in the series, 2-1.
