Ward to Tour With U.S. Marines Boxing Team.

ByBoxing Press

BOSTON, Mass. (October 28, 2004).

One of boxing’s most popular fighters of all-time, ‘Irish’ Micky Ward, has been selected as the official goodwill ambassador for the U.S. Marines boxing team “Great Northeast Tour,” commencing November 9th at The Roxy in Boston and continuing that week at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Philadelphia. The Semper Fidelis Society, comprised of former United States Marines, two years ago presented Ward with the inaugural Ted Williams Globe and Anchor Award, presented to a non-Marine for his commitment and dedication to excellence that Williams demonstrated in his life, as well as the hard work and guts Ted showed as a fighter pilot.

The now retired Ward, former WBU light welterweight champion, was involved in an unprecedented three Ring Magazine Fights of the Year – 2003 and 2002 (vs. Arturo Gatti) and 2001 (Emanuel Burton). Another special guest on The Northeast Tour is Dr. Wilbert ‘Skeeter” McClure, gold medal winner in boxing at the 1960 Olympics. He was captain of the 1960 U.S. boxing team (teammate of Cassius Clay) and the only U.S. gold-medal winning boxer to earn a doctorate (clinical psychology).

The Roxy hosts the opening leg of the U. S. Marines boxing teamGreat Northeast Tour (see full schedule below), promoted by S & L Boxing. The ‘Fightin’ Leathernecks will be competing in a three-part amateur boxing series for the benefit of the U.S. Marines scholarship fund with other stops at Foxwoods (Nov. 11) and Philadelphia (Nov. 13).

Two of the leading female amateur boxers in the United States, one a Marine and the other an environmental engineer, have been matched Nov. 9 at The Roxy. US Marine Grace Kelly, fighting out of Tacoma (WA) not Monaco, was runner-up in the 146-pound division at the 2004 US national championships. Her opponent will be New England champion (14-0) Lisa Kuronya, fighting out of the Portland (ME) boxing club. Kuronya is a graduate of West Chester University (PA) with a degree in environmental engineering. She is a well-known animal rights activist.

Also matched at The Roxy are South Boston’s Matt Ryan, who is coached by Micky Ward, and U.S. Marine Mike Martinez (Snyder, TX) in the 165-pound open division; 2003-2004 Lowell Golden Gloves and USA Boxing Senior Division champion Simeon Dunwell, of Haverhill, and U.S. Marine Eric Canales (Ft. Worth, TX) in the 141-pound open division; Providence’s Miquel Cario and U.S. Marine and Jorge Arjona (Houston, TX) in the 141-pound novice division. More bouts are being matched and will soon be announced. All matches and boxers are subject to change.

While in the Boston area members of the U.S. Marines boxing team will have a private tour of Old Ironsides in Boston and be honored at a special assembly Tuesday morning (9:30, Nov. 9) at Somerville High School.

For more information about the Great Northeast Tour, call 1.617.227.9332.

Great Northeast Tour Schedule & Ticket Information

November 9 – Eve of U.S. Marines Birthday

U.S. Marines vs. USA Boxing/New England

7 pm @ The Roxy, Boston

$50.00 VIP Ringside (limited), $30.00 General Admission

Ticketmaster 1.617.931.2000

November 11 – Veterans’ Day

U.S. Marines vs. Native American Champions & USA Boxing/Connecticut

7 pm @ Fox Theatre, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket (CT)

$35.00 & $25.00 reserved

Foxwoods Box Office 1.800.200.2882 or www.foxwoods.com

November 13

U.S. Marines vs. Team USA/Mid-Atlantic

7 pm @ The Alhambra, South Philadelphia

Ticket info TBA