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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Peekskill Be First Boxing will host a grand opening celebration Saturday at its new home on Main Street with one ring to rule them all.
The event, entitled "Lord of the Ring," begins at 1 p.m. with a prayer and a ribbon cutting followed by five hours of diverse entertainment, hosted by Peekskill's own comedian Jimmy Mack.
For 30 years, Peekskill Be First Boxing flourished under the direction of founders Fredrick Spry, Sr. and Walter Corney, but after they retired the program shut its doors until three years ago when a group led by Cortlandt's Wes Artope decided to resurrect it.
The program provides not only positive male role models for young people but also an emphasis on physical fitness, Artope said. "We're trying to guide the youth in the right direction," he said. Spry's son, Fredrick Jr., is also one of the prime movers behind the center re-opening its doors.
Artope said the staff not only tries to help kids avoid trouble but also dangers like childhood obesity and related medical conditions such as type-2 diabetes.
Since opening its new location on Main Street, the program has seen a boom membership not just from kids, but also adults. Artope said he's adding a women's fitness boxing class on Saturdays and a fusion Zumba aerobics class.
Artope made it very clear Be First Boxing is a non-profit that aims to keep costs low in order to encourage participation. He is also on the lookout for sponsors and donors looking to help the program grow and expand.
"The kids have to pay $75 to get their Metro USA Boxing [certification] book, and we charge $20 a month dues, which is low but a lot of kids can't afford gloves or equipment," Artope said. "We'd like to get people to sponsor the kids."
Those interested in donating to the team can call Artope at (646) 772-7447.
Saturday's event will give area residents a chance to meet and get autographs from former boxing Superstars like 1984 Olympic gold medalist and actor Mark Breland and Renaldo Snipes, who fought Larry Holmes for the world heavyweight championship.
Also appearing will be Iran The Blade Barkley, Aaron Superman Davis, Tracy Patterson, Richard Burton, and Be First Boxing's own Keith The Brooklyn Assassin Mullings, a former WBC light middleweight world champion.
Louis Marciano, the younger brother of legendary boxer Rocky Marciano will also be on hand, and will be donating some pictures to the Peekskill Be First Boxing program.
Well-known rapper Styles P, who performs with the hip-hop group The LOX and also with the Ruff Ryders, will make a special appearance. There will be a demonstration by The Bartendaz, a physical fitness program headed by Hassan Giant Yasin, which is a mixture of martial arts and physical training.
Here's a complete listing of Saturday's events:
Revelry by Fred Smith and opening remarks by director, Wes Artope and blessing by Dr. Reverend Lacey of Mount Olivet Baptist Church 1 p.m.Mayor Mary Foster and Common Council opening ceremony and ribbon cutting 1:10 p.m.Team A youth boxing & fitness demonstration led by Fred Spry 1:30 p.m.Meet the pros: autographs and meeting with pro fighters 1:45 p.m.Team B adult boxing & fitness demonstration led by John McCrae 2:15 p.m.Meet the BARTENDAZ (demonstration & autograph session) 2:30 p.m.Boxing ring demonstrations and open house 4- 6 p.m.
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