Boxing Tourney Delivers Knockout Show

It was standing room only at the Marco Island Boxing Club’s annual Frank Gervin Memorial Boxing Tournament on Saturday, April 6th, at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort. “Up north” boxers from New Jersey and Connecticut took to the ring against the locals from Marco, Naples and Ft. Myers.

“It was a great atmosphere,” said Richie Stoltenborg, event organizer and President of the Marco Island Boxing Club. “And the Hilton did a phenomenal job.”

The event kicked off with Mary Jo O’Regan singing the National Anthem. There were a total of 16 bouts with boxers’ ages ranging from nine to 23 years old. Ring announcer Gary Donabed kept things going and the Marco Island Academy cheerleaders were the ring girls, counting down the rounds with plenty of MIA spirit. Food and beverages were available for purchase, along with t-shirts commemorating the event. The local Boxing Commission provided the referees and judges.

The Marco Island Boxing Club is a nonprofit dedicated to teaching kids the art of Olympic-style boxing. There is no membership fee for kids who want to join – it’s always free. “The tournament was very successful for the club,” said Soltenborg. “Every cent goes into the boxing club.” The tournament debuted in 2011 at Marco’s Veterans Park and has been going ever since then, missing just one year due to Covid. Check out Marco Island Boxing Club’s Facebook page for the 20+ event sponsors, including F Troop and Peter Donaghy of Carmen Construction, who have supported the club from the very beginning. “It’s always an exciting night,” said Stoltenborg. “There is a lot of work that goes into it. We couldn’t do it without the community support, the volunteers and the sponsors.”

The club found itself on the move last October when the building they were in was sold. They were able to secure a temporary spot on Yahl Street in Naples when Inferno MMA graciously gave them space but now, they will soon be moving into a new location on Tamiami Trail/Rt. 41 in East Naples, in between Affordable Carts and Capital Pawn. Look for updates on the Marco Island Boxing Club Facebook page.