Charity Auction Winner Gets
His Prize From Jamaal ‘Da Truth’ Davis And IBF Champ Steve ‘USS’
Cunningham
December 3, 2008
(DEC 3) An autographed pink t-shirt
signed by many of the great boxers featured and in attendance at the
Shamrocks and Dreams event in Philadelphia on October 4, 2008 was
recently auctioned on e.bay and the proceeds donated to the American
Cancer Society in the name of Patrilla Davis, the late wife of popular
Philadelphia middleweight Jamaal ‘Da Truth’ Davis.
Steve, James, Sharon, John (left to right)
This week the successful bidder, John
DiSanto, met with Jamaal and IBF cruiserweight world champion, Steve
‘USS’ Cunningham, at the James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia
to collect his prize.
John DiSanto is well known to boxers and boxing fans in Philadelphia as
not only does he run philaboxinghistory.com but is also the main man
behind the ‘Briscoe’ Awards, of which Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham was the
recent recipient of ‘Fighter of the Year 2007’ award, as well as the
Gravestone Fund, a particularly interesting project that locates
unmarked graves of former Philadelphia boxers. The mission of this
project is to remember and honor these boxing legends by placing
headstones on these unmarked graves and then holding a public memorial
service.
Steve, John, Jamaal, Sharon (Left to right)
On his meeting with Jamaal and Steve,
John said. “The American Cancer Society is a great cause and something
to support anyway, but when I heard about Jamaal’s story I was
particularly touched by it. I love Philadelphia boxing, I support it in
any way I can. So it was a great opportunity to get involved in a
special way. I’ve met Jamaal a few times, he’s a great guy, and Steve is
of course the best. So it’s really fun to come here today to meet them
and to be involved is really nice.”
The DiamondBoxing.com sponsored pink cancer support shirt - which was
signed by Hall of Famer Jeff Chandler, Former Heavyweight Champ Tim
Witherspoon and his son Tim Witherspoon Jr., IBF Cruiserweight Champion
Steve Cunningham, Former World Junior Middleweight Champion Kassim 'The
Dream' Ouma, Current NABA Light Heavyweight Champ Yusaf Mack, Irish
Boxing Stars Paul Hyland, Simon 'Slick Fighting Irish' O'Donnell,
Patrick Hyland. - was worn into the ring in October by Jamaal ‘Da Truth’
Davis, when he fought and beat Chris Hall, to honor his wife and
highlight the importance of cancer awareness. Jamaal and his trainer
Sharron Baker also autographed the shirt.
Steve Signs Gloves
Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, the current IBF
cruiserweight world champion, who is preparing for his December 11th
title defense against Tomasz 'Goral' Adamek at the Prudential Center in
Newark, New Jersey, also supported this cause and his gym mate, Jamaal,
by donating for the auction a pair of signed boxing gloves as well as
the opportunity for the highest bidder to meet with him and watch one of
his training sessions.
When the presentation was over the ever smiling Jamaal said. “It’s a
privilege to have this opportunity to show everybody that, and not just
because my wife is dead, you know, that I support cancer research. I
believe that everyone should support cancer research, and every woman
should go for regular tests and get checked for breast cancer, not just
go once in a blue moon, It’s important, it’s their life.
I was so pleased that John (DiSanto) won it, he does so much for Philly
and us boxers. To meet with John today is a privilege. It’s a privilege
to be involved in this. It’s great to see people outside of what we do
getting involved, I believe the more people we get involved supporting
this cause it’s only a matter of time before we find a cure.
I have to say a big thank you, not only to John but also to Rob and
Diane of Diamond Boxing who not only supported me with this, but
organized the auction and gave so much money to the American Cancer
Society in Patrilla’s name. You know, Rob and Diane have spoken about
extending this program by sponsoring me in a similar way (donations to
American Cancer Society in Patrilla’s name) at further events in the
future. These people are special, You know, Rob, Diane, Steve and Livvy
(Cunningham) have been awesome. Steve and Livvy were there for me
throughout the dark times and still are. It’s special, these guys are
special and I can’t thank them enough.”
Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham vs Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek.
The International Boxing Federation World Cruiserweight Championship
Title Fight between Champion, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham and challenger,
Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek is co-promoted by Kathy Duva’s Main Events and Don
King Productions and takes place at The Prudential Center in Newark, New
Jersey on Thursday December 11th 2008.
Tickets priced at $303, $153, $78, $53, $38 are on sale now and can be
purchased at The Prudential Center box office or by calling TicketMaster
on 201-507-8900. Source/Press Release
