ABC in fighters’ corner with $10,000 donation or more, you can help
Michael Mazzulli: “The ABC should have always given back to these athletes, so it is a real honor to announce the sizeable gifts that will be given in Orlando this summer.”
The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) bylaws mandate the creation of a Retired Fighter Charity. Under the direction of ABC President Michael Mazzulli, who also heads the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, the charity was created formally in 2017.
The dangers of combat sports are inherent. Although the Association of Boxing Commissions continues its examination of best and safest practices, keeps its members up to date on medical advances, and is involved in overseeing rules, Mazzulli believes the Retired Fighter Charity is one of the most important acts by the ABC, giving back to the very people who gave everything they had.
Fighters sometime compete beyond the point they should, sometimes freak accidents happen, and other times, the safest practices are not followed,” said Mazzulli. “All can result in earth-shattering hardships for the fighter retiring from the ring or cage. I believe this gifting should have started years ago. The ABC should have always given back to these athletes, so it is a real honor to announce the sizeable gifts that will be given in Orlando this summer.
At the 2017 annual Conference Banquet Dinner, three recipients were gifted. Plans have been made by the Retired Fighter Fund’s first Board of Directors to gift $10,000 or more this year to eligible fighters who have given their all to the combative sports.
At this year’s conference, a Casino Night Fund Raiser will be held Monday night, July 30, 2018 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida. However, donations from fans are highly, highly, highly appreciated.
Support for the Retired Fighter Charitable Fund can be through cash donations, goods and services, or sponsorship of an event. Further, the ABC is currently looking for corporate partners to help to extend our reach to as many athletes as possible. All interested parties can contact the Retired Fighters Fund via email (donate@abcboxing.com).
Qualified athletes or their representatives can submit an application for a gift to help with medical and/or living expenses during a challenging time. The charity never makes payments to the athlete directly, but to the debtor or guardian on the athlete’s behalf. The deadline for applications for an award is June 30th 2018.
The Retired Fighter Fund’s Board of Directors include:
•Chair Dan Gustafson, regulator for the Oneida Tribe;
•Steven Weisfeld, renown boxing judge and instructor from NJ;
•John English, affiliated with the New Hampshire Commission;
•Big John McCarthy, MMA pioneer;
•Joe Walsh, Director of Iowa Athletic Commission;
•Michael Mazzulli, President of the ABC; and,
•Lydia Robertson, Treasurer for the ABC.
The Association of Boxing Commissions is a 501 (c) (3) charity, and is set forth and named in the Muhammad Ali Professional Boxing Act (Title 15, Chapter 89, US Code) as the body responsible for passing minimum standards for the sports, maintaining suspensions, and recognizing sanctioning bodies.
