By: Rob Scott
Serratelli and Holyfieldwww.Doghouseboxing.com
It’s that time of year again; each year C.O.M.B.A.T.T., Inc., the acronyms for Community Organization Making Better Alternatives Today for Tomorrow, pays homage to dignitaries who have contributed to the betterment of the sports of boxing and Mixed Martial Arts, and also the betterment of today’s youth.
Today, Tuesday March 27, 2007, the five-year-old tradition continues, as the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey will again be the place to be, when the C.O.M.B.A.T.T. organization holds it’s annual celebrity reception and awards dinner.
Many people say that they want to make a difference, but since December 2002, and counting, the C.O.M.B.A.T.T. organization and everyone involved, has put their time, effort and energies where their mouths are, by working hands-on with today’s youths, and as their name says, giving them alternatives to the negatives that consume the minds and bodies of our young people.
The founder and visionary for C.O.M.B.A.T.T., New Jersey State Control Board Commissioner, Larry Hazzard, Sr. has worked in and around the sport of boxing since 1967 and has himself played a major part in placing the state of New Jersey as one of the most prominent spots for boxing and MMA. Born and raised in the Newark section of New Jersey, Hazzard knows first hand, the war going on outside that some youth have found it so hard to escape from. This knowledge is a major reason for C.O.M.B.A.T.T.’ s efforts to bring the youth inside its walls to channel their energies and guide them into a positive direction.
The President of the non-profit, C.O.M.B.A.T.T., Inc., Ms. Rhonda Utley-Herring, the organization’s Program Director, Mahasin Scott, and all involved continue to work tirelessly to make the vision work, but it’s not easy. In a recent press release, Scott was quoted as saying; “With the drastic funding cuts we’ve experienced from the City of Newark this year, we are relying heavily on our fund raising efforts and private donations to maintain our existence. Our young people are counting on us to continue to provide much needed services to them and their families. We are very thankful to the boxing and martial arts communities, and other concerned individual supporters which continue to provide private resources, financially, as well as physically by participating as mentors to our youth.” The quote says it all, as the jabs and potential knockout blows hamper, but cease to stop the efforts of everyone involved in this definite worthwhile cause.
This year former world heavyweight champions George Foreman and Evander Holyfield lead the annual award recipients, along with Charlotte Bobcats owner, Robert Johnson to name just a few. As with every year, boxing royalty will also be in attendance, with WBO Heavyweight champion, Shannon Briggs set to speak, and legendary promoter Don King along with all-time great Bernard Hopkins making appearances.
Again, all this takes place on Tuesday, March 27 2007 at the Robert Treat Hotel in the heart of downtown Newark, New Jersey with the reception starting at 5:30 PM and the dinner to begin at 6:45 PM. All tickets are to be purchased in advance for a donation of $75. All ticket information can be obtained by phoning (973) 824-4900 or (973) 651-6884.
There is an old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and there is indeed a war going on outside, come help this community organization continue to bring our youths inside from harm’s way.