BMORENEWS.com

Umar

Put down the guns, put up the gloves!

PRESS CONFERENCE: Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008

“Boxing saved me from the streets,” said McDowell. “My heart breaks every time I see a child with potential check out or join a gang. Ultimately that leads to destruction,” added McDowell. McDowell who is a member of the Maryland Boxing Hall of Fame.

Umar Boxing, 1217 N. Avenue, Baltimore

11:00 AM

(BALTIMORE - August 9, 2008) – Everyday headlines tout the destruction of another generation of children. Parents, political leaders, social commentators and educators are trying to figure out what we can do to save our children. Renowned boxer and community activist Marvin McDowell, the founder of the Umar Boxing Club, will host an event to bring the community together and support our young people through music, boxing, local celebrity appearances and fellowship.

McDowell is hosting an evening of Championship Amateur Boxing at the Patapsco Arena, located at 3301 Annapolis Road, in Baltimore, on Friday, August 29. This event is sponsored by the Dr. Wayne Fleming of Wayne T. Fleming & Company and produced by BT Productions, Inc.

The event will kick off with a pre-fight concert featuring national recording artists Paula Campbell and Devon Howard, currently enjoying chart success. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Amateur bouts will feature the Bad Boys of Umar verses fighters from the South Atlantic region of DC, Philadelphia, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. The celebrity ringmaster for this occasion is Konan of 92Q. Celebrity “Blue Corner” coach is Porkchop of 92Q and in the “Red Corner” coach is The Jammer from 95.9 FM. The matches begin at 8 p.m.

The evening will conclude with an after fight party at Sister’s Place, 8621 Liberty Road, in Baltimore.

McDowell and Umar Boxing is taking a lead in helping fight street crime and gang violence by asking that citizens support this event by “putting the guns down and put the gloves up, take the fight out of the street and meet us in the gym where we all can win!”

Multi-level sponsorships for this event are still available and neighborhood and community organizations, Boy’s Clubs, churches and local businesses are asked to sponsor “at risk” young people in our community to attend.

“Boxing saved me from the streets,” said McDowell. “My heart breaks every time I see a child with potential check out or join a gang. Ultimately that leads to destruction,” added McDowell. McDowell who is a member of the Maryland Boxing Hall of Fame.

“As a businessman and as someone who loves this city, I believe all of us have a responsibility to do what we can to make a difference in the lives of people, especially children,” said Fleming. “If all of us did a small part whether it was sponsoring an event to bring unity back to our community or lending some time in support of local charities, we could really see a renaissance in Baltimore.” Dr. Fleming is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army.

“People have written our children off and don’t believe they’re worth saving. I reject that opinion and want every child to have the chance to make the right choices,” said Billy Taylor. “After all, if a caterpillar can become a butterfly a child going down the wrong path can turn around and become a winner.”

Billy Taylor is a recovering alcoholic and addict with 20 plus years of sobriety and is a minister on staff of New Shiloh Baptist Church. His powerful testimony of overcoming addiction and how our attitude changes how we think, how we act and changes the results in our lives.

To become a media sponsor or sponsor a group of young people to attend this event, please contact Billy Taylor at 410.905.3845.

Tags: boxing, sports