On Friday, October 14^th, the St. Catharines Amateur Boxing Club (SCBC) will be holding a boxing fundraiser event called “Fight for Murphy” for the SCBC coach Keith Murphy. From 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm, the Merritton Community Center at 7 Park Street, St Catharines, will host an exciting night of “White Collar Boxing”.  Keith has been battling multiple sclerosis for 21 years and your support and/or donations will help Keith in his everyday needs.

If you would like advance tickets (at $10 a ticket), please let me know so that I can get you some from the SCBC. Tickets will also be sold at the door at a cost of $15 a ticket.

If you would like to “rock it” Vegas-style and get a ringside table for 8 people, please also let me know. Tables are $250 and in addition ringside, some drinks and snacks are also included.

Fighters (me being one of them – yeah!) have also been asked to collect pledges if those of you who are not able to make it to the event would like to make a donation. I am starting to fill out a pledge sheet and if you are interested in making a donation, please let me know via FB, comment on my blog and/or email. Please let me know the amount you would like to pledge.

Pledges can be made in cash or in cheque. Cheques should be made payable to:  St. Catharines Boxing Club and sent to me at 40 Henrietta Street, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 2M6.

Although I’ve only been at the SCBC since May of this year, it’s clear to me that Keith is part of the heart and soul of the Club. Each night Keith is there at the front door welcoming us as we come in for another gruelling night of training. His smile and warmth are contagious and I know that I personally feel better able to face the challenges of the workout ahead after receiving a warm greeting from Keith. Over the last five months, I’ve seen big tough guys drop whatever they’re doing to gently lend a hand to Keith as he makes his way over to the ring to watch the night’s sparring. Each time I see this, my heart expands and I know that the St. Catharines boxing community not only has grit, it has heart and soul.

Here is a bit more about Keith:

“Keith Murphy, who started coaching in 1983, is the head coach at the St. Catharines Amateur Boxing Club. Keith is an upstanding and dedicated member of the amateur boxing community who volunteers numerous hours helping to organize and promote boxing events. In 2001, Keith was a Provincial Intermediate Coach as he helped two of his boxers win gold medals and assisted Team Ontario win top team accolades. This was a stellar year for the St. Catharines Amateur Boxing Club thanks to Keith’s efforts as his boxers claimed four Canadian Championships and two Canadian Silver Medals. Keith is also a 2004 Provincial Junior Coach. Keith believes that nothing comes easy in life, but with a little bit of effort, you can accomplish anything.”  The Boxing Examiner.com