Irish Boxers Find Pot of Gold at Boxing Tourney

For a boxing event that benefits kids, it was the adults who got to enjoy the action. The 15th annual Frank Gervin Memorial Amateur Boxing event at the Hilton Marco Island treated a sold-out crowd to USA Boxing sanctioned bouts featuring boxers from Marco Island to Ireland. “It was great to have Ireland boxers back on Marco Island to compete,” said Richie Stoltenborg, president of the Marco Island Boxing Club and event organizer. “The boxers from Coach Paul Johnston’s Monkstown Boxing Club and Coach Michael Hawkins Holy Trinity Boxing Club brought their A-game. They won all three of their bouts.” Hawkins is an Olympic boxing coach for Ireland.

The Marco Island Club had five of their young boxers competing this year: Dyclan Felix, Calvin Sheeley, Ty Kekkas, Rodger Paul, and Steve Montero. Three took home a belt, including Felix, who just competed at the Golden Gloves in Ft. Lauderdale and will be heading to the Junior Olympic Nationals in June. “Coach Jeff Knorr is my main man and instrumental in coaching the local boxers,” said Stoltenborg.

And it wouldn’t be a boxing event without Coach Ed Leahy of the Dover Boxing Club in New Jersey, who also brought five boxers to compete.

As usual, all profits from the event went to the Marco Island Boxing Club, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching kids the art of Olympic-style boxing. It’s free for kids who want to join. 

Mary Jo O’Regan started the event with her heartfelt renditions of Danny Boy and the Star Spangled Banner. Gary Donabed was the ring announcer, and DJ Jay Floyd kept the energy going between bouts while volunteers canvased the room with 50/50 tickets. Marco Island Academy cheerleaders took on ring girl duties.

“We couldn’t do any of this without our sponsors,” Stoltenborg said, making sure to give a special shoutout to F-Troop, the Rakoczy Family, the Albanese family, Frank Catalano, and Rene and Trish Champagne. Other generous sponsors were Tim McCoy and Tim Keane from Sandbar and 844 Gulf and Prime; Mike Jones and Kent Ward of the Brewery and Speakeasy; Jennifer Reeves of Sunset Grille; Moose and Mary Jo O’Regan of Paddy Murphys; Salty Dog Restaurant; and The Irish Times Restaurant in Naples who helped feed the out of town boxers. Thanks also went to Peter Donaghy of Carmen Construction, Helen Donaghy of Engel Volkers Realty, Dan Collardey of Island Eyes Detective Agency, Arne and Jill Sandberg, The Island Country Club Charitable Organization, Steve Garske, Dr. Al Bozzo, Dr. Carlos Portu, Peter and Cindy Boynton, Get CAT Fit, Wolfgang Schmolling and Tiffany Gilbert, Jimmy Downey, Rich Murphy, Collier County EMS, the Marco Island Police Department, and Celso Pineda Painting. Plus, the ticket, t-shirt, and 50/50 sellers of Jane Stoltenborg, Susan Scharles, Gayle McNaab, Ginny Lovett, Mary Anne Coffer, Jane Prather, KD Rehelk and Dorrit Konig.