Followers of boxing will rejoice that Greenwich’s waterfront park, Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, would be the venue for the upcoming “Glove Up Greenwich” charity boxing occasion on Sept 30 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. The occasion will showcase 9 sanctioned boxing matches, and fighters might be chosen from Greenwich and close by communities.
Kastriot Xhema, who was born and raised in Greenwich is organizing the occasion together with his longtime buddy Michael Vranos.
Kastriot Xhema who’s organizing the Glove Up Greenwich visited Roger Sherman Baldwin Park the place his charity boxing occasion will happen on Sept 30, 2023. Pictured with Xhema is Susie Moore of Moore Methods, who helps with occasion advertising. Photograph: Leslie Yager
We first interviewed Mr. Xhema, who goes by “Kas,” again in 2019 when he shared his redemption story, having performed time in jail for combating at a younger age. He regained his freedom in 2014 and mentioned he was grateful the courts had steered him towards boxing as a part of an anger administration program. Afterward, it was a aid not solely to shed his anger however to make a dwelling from combating.
Over time Xhema switched from boxing to blended martial arts, and on the time of our 2019 interview he had shed 30 lbs on a weight loss program he joked was kale and chopped salad in anticipation of an upcoming skilled MMA battle at Madison Sq. Backyard, which he would go on to win.
Sadly, Xhema endured one other setback, contracting Covid in 2020 and enduring a prolonged restoration from mind, coronary heart and GI irritation, and hasn’t fought since then.
“I don’t need to rush it,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless his relentless enthusiasm is contagious, and this week Xhema smiled as he appeared throughout Roger Sherman Baldwin Park envisioning the upcoming occasion.
“There might be a 40 x 40 truss, about 40 ft excessive, with a roof over it and a Jumbotron hanging from the middle simply above the ring,” he defined. “We’ll have seating throughout the ring and a VIP tent.”
Xhema mentioned the tickets have tiered pricing (Ticket web page consists of FAQ’s) beginning with $150 common admission standing, reserved seating from $250 to $2,000 relying on proximity to the ring, and the choice of VIP tickets which carry entry to free meals, open bar and luxurious trailer restrooms.
Xhema mentioned Glove Up Greenwich is authorised for as much as 4,000 attendees.
“I’ve been attempting to do that since 2015,” he mentioned. “There’s so much that goes into the planning.”
Joined by Susie Moore of Moore Methods who helps with advertising, Xhema mentioned they linked whereas boxing at Revolution Coaching in Stamford.
Actually, girls can even battle within the Glove Up Greenwich occasion.
As for the charity facet of the occasion, Xhema mentioned the beneficiaries dovetail together with his need to offer again to his city.
“I would like Glove Up Greenwich to be a pressure for social affect in our city, selling psychological wellness and giving children and adults a optimistic athletic outlet,” he mentioned, including that every one proceeds will go to native non-profits, beginning with The Rowan Middle, which is predicated in Stamford, however serves a number of cities together with Greenwich.
Sharon Walker Epps, chair of the board at The Rowan Middle, a supplier of sexual assault providers, expressed her gratutide on Glove Up Greenwich’s Instagram @gloveupgwch.
“We offer free disaster counseling to any sufferer or secondary sufferer of sexual assault. And shortly we might be providing free long run remedy,” she mentioned. “We’ve 24/7 hotline. We offer free advocates to go together with all victims to the hospital, to the police station, and to the courtroom home – no matter they want.”
“We’re the one group to offer state licensed providers to Greenwich,” she added. “We’ve been doing this work for over 40 yeas. It’s our solely mission.”
Additionally, Ms Walker Epps mentioned, “We need to proceed to increase our justice advocacy program, which is concentrated on working with our native regulation enforcement to make sure that perpetrators of sexual assault endure the implications of their crimes. We all know that perpetrators of have sentenced victims to a modified life path – a path that’s usually full of trauma, PTSD, despair, anxiousness, self-harm and extra.”
Xhema mentioned that Greenwich United Approach was chosen for his or her concentrate on the psychological well being wants of the group.
“Psychological well being, per our wants evaluation, is likely one of the high wants within the city,” mentioned Greenwich United Approach CEO David Rabin in his Instagram testimonial. “We’re very proud to be partnering with Glove Up Greenwich to boost consciousness about psychological well being within the Greenwich Group.”
Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo has inspired Xhema and helps the occasion. On Instagram, Camillo recalled watching boxing on TV in his youth and “battle nights” in Pemberwick Park.
“If you happen to haven’t been to a boxing match, I extremely advocate going there, it will likely be a high charge manufacturing in a ravishing venue right here in Greenwich,” Camillo says on Instagram.
On Thursday Camillo mentioned, “What’s being deliberate right here takes it to the subsequent degree. It actually brings again numerous recollections forme, and I’m proud to assist what I hope might be a brand new period right here on the town the place we see numerous these occasions sooner or later.”
“Kas and the numerous city residents which might be supporting this have performed a terrific job placing it collectively,” he mentioned. “Utilizing the proceeds to donate to some fantastic causes in Greenwich makes it much more particular.”
Different non earnings to obtain proceeds from the occasion embody Greenwich Emergency Medical Providers, Byram Volunteer Hearth Dept, and Glenville Volunteer Hearth Co.
Tickets at the moment are out there for buy on the Glove Up Greenwich web site. Different methods to get entangled embody turning into a sponsor, volunteering on the occasion, or donating to assist the charity companions.
Join the publication on the Glove Up Greenwich web site to be notified of occasion updates. To enroll to be a sponsor, please e mail [email protected].