Ringside seats are available for the opportunity to meet over a dozen of the World’s All-Time Greatest Professional Boxers and Jazz Recording Artists when they assemble in Suffolk, Virginia on September 27, 2008 for the 2nd Annual Boxing & Jazz Awards presented by Hampton Roads Sports & Entertainment.
Boxing aficionado Bert Sugar, former publisher of Ring Magazine, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event which will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn & Convention Center in Downtown Suffolk, Virginia.
The 2008 Gala will honor boxing legends Ken Norton, Howard Davis, Jr., Marlon “Magic Man” Starling, George Chuvalo, Hector “Macho” Camacho, “Irish” Mickey Ward, Alex “The Bronx Bomber ” Ramos (Founder of the Retired Boxers Foundation), “Colonel” Bob Sheridan and Boxing Trainer, Ronnie Shields.
The 2008 Jazz Honorees are International Jazz Recording Artist, NaJee and International Jazz Recording Artist, Kirk Whalum.
Special Guests include Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker (2007 Honoree), Carl “The Truth” Williams (2007 Honoree) and Leon Spinks (2007 Honoree).
Other invited guests are: Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini.
Last year’s honorees were Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, Iran “The Blade” Barkley, Carl “The Truth” Williams, Mark Breland, Ron Lyle, Leon Spinks, Simon Brown, Tony Tiger Lopez, Reggie Johnson and Boxing Historian, Mr. Bert Sugar.
Ticket-holders will have a day to remember, with events to include:
* The Media Press Conference (to be held on Friday night at 7:30 at the Hilton Garden Inn & Convention Center)
*An autograph session with the Boxers and a book signing by Bert Sugar and others
*Boxing & Sports memorabilia card show
*Lectures by Bert Sugar, Howard Davis, Jr., Alex Ramos and George Chuvalo and Carl Williams
*A chance to bid on boxing memorabilia, donated by the champs themselves, during a silent auction at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts
*Professional Boxers workout featuring Rocky Juarez and others
*Local Celebrity Grudge matches, which put local city officials/celebrities in a sparring match against one another. Of course, the Professionals will referee and work the corners for the bouts
The highlight of the day will be The Boxing and Jazz Awards Ceremony and the Banquet of Champions Dinner, which will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Bert Sugar.
*Ring Card Girl Contest
*Boxing & Jazz Awards After Party at the Hilton Garden Inn after the Awards Banquet. See Howard Davis Jr. play with the band on the drums along with Jazz Recording Artist, NaJee
Hampton Roads Sports & Entertainment is proud to honor these Athletes and Artists. This year’s event will give boxing fans and Jazz fans from around the World the chance to meet some of their heroes.
A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Retired Boxers Foundation (www.retiredboxers.org), a nonprofit organization that helps retiring boxer’s transition from the ring to the working world. Additionally, a donation will be made to the Boys and Girls Club of South Hampton Roads.
Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2008 and are priced at $100 and can be purchased by visiting the website at www.boxingandjazz.com or by calling 757.449.7668. Tickets purchased before July 31, 2008 will be available at $90.
Sponsorship packages are available for this event.
For further information regarding this event or to arrange an interview with the Honorees, contact Sherwin Turner at 757.538.0945, via e-mail at info@boxingandjazz.com or visit us at www.boxingandjazz.com.