Manville hosts charity boxing match
By:Roger Alvarado
The eyes of the boxing world will be on Manville June 4.
Former heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney (28-3 in his professional career) will mix it up with not one but three area men to raise money for the Adult Day Care Center in the center’s second annual "Main Event" of celebrity boxing, at Manville’s Veterans of Foreign War post.
Mayor Angelo Corradino will be on hand to host the event.
"I’m really looking forward to it," Mayor Corradino said. "It’s for a great cause and it’s going to be the start of an exciting weekend for the borough."
Somerset County Freeholder Ken Scherer, who is chairing the event, says boxing and nonboxing fans alike who come out can expect to have a whale of a good time.
"It’s one of the very different and fun things to do in Somerset County and we are the only ones that have it," said Mr. Scherer. "It’s a lot of fun, there will be some laughs and you get to see some boxing."
Mr. Scherer, is no stranger to the ring, having gone the distance with the boxing legend a year ago.
"Last year I went up against Gerry and we had a terrific time and raised some money for a great cause," Mr. Scherer said. "He’s a great guy and does a lot for a lot of people. Before the fight he tells you he’s going to make you look good and that you’re going to give people a good boxing match."
However, Mr. Scherer admits it’s not all fun and games when you’re in the ring.
"He says he’s not going to hurt you and tells you to hit him as hard as you can," Mr. Scherer said. "He only hits you back with about 50 percent of what he could go at and even that’s a little scary. But the time goes very quickly and two minutes after, the fight’s over and everything calms down and is back to normal and you’re excited to be in the ring with a former heavyweight contender.
"I’m (1-0) against Gerry Cooney," Mr. Scherer, who won a decision against Mr. Cooney last year, says with a smile.
This year rather than risk his undefeated record, Mr. Scherer stepped aside and says he’ll stick to running the event.
In his stead, Bridgewater Director of Parks Pierce Frauenheim, Courier-News sportswriter Harry Frezza and Joe Lucas of the Somerset County Park Commission will all get their chance to play Rocky for three rounds each against the boxing legend.
"The boxers have been working hard for the last two months training and sparring for the main event about two to three days a week," he said.
According to Mr. Scherer, Mr. Cooney has been running the men through weight training so that they can be in the best shape possible prior to entering the ring.
"He gets you in shape," he said. "At the end of the two months you can jump rope easier and longer and you’re not as tired."
Mr. Scherer says he first met Mr. Cooney a couple years ago at a charity event.
"He mentioned some charity boxing events he’d done and I told him that I’d get into the ring with him if we could set him up," Mr. Scherer said. That event turned into the first "Main Event" which drew in excess of 500 people to Franklin’s Garden State Exhibit Center last year, Mr. Scherer said.
Mr. Cooney is best known for his consecutive knockouts of heavyweights Ron Lyle and former champion Kenny Norton, which led to a World Boxing Council title fight against Larry Holmes in June 1982. Mr. Cooney’s manager stopped the fight in the 13th round, although at the time, judges had the fight scored closely.
The bouts between the three area men and Mr. Cooney will be the evening’s main event, but a full card of charitable boxing has been set including a women’s bout featuring boxers Marla Zuarino and Laura Gerena. In addition, those in attendance will be able to participate in a sports memorabilia auction, which will include items from the Yankees, Jets, Giants and Knicks.
Tickets for the event are available through the Adult Day Center at 725-0068, with prices ranging from $35 general admission to a $250 black-tie VIP reception and ringside seats.