SUGAR RAY LEONARD’S BIG FIGHTERS, BIG CAUSE
Photo Credit, Eric John
GBK Productions produced the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation’s 4th Annual “Big Fighters, Big Cause” Charity Fight Night. Held at the Santa Monica Pier, this amazing event raised money to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research and The Wounded Warrior Project.
We spoke to Boxing Legend, Sugar Ray Leonard about the Sugar Ray Foundation and the event and he said, “Well this is my fourth year, The Sugar Ray Foundation which was established by my wife and I. We raise awareness and raise funds for juvenile diabetes research looking to one day eradicate this horrible disease. It’s one of those things we take for granted, our health, and through research we will find a cure.”
Guests enjoyed music by the Top 40’s band, Zota Pop and 10-year old, DJ Baby Chino (Nickelodeon’s Figure It Out), lots of food and beverages and were able to purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to win some great prizes. The main event featured a professional boxing fight card consisting of four bouts. Tommy Davidson was the Master of Ceremony for the evening keeping the crowd laughing and having a good time.
This year’s attendees included: Usher (Recording Artists; The Voice), Barry Bonds (retired MLB Player), Shawne Merriman (former NFL Player), Tamala Jones (ABC’s Castle), Dondre Whitfield (Make It or Break It), Edwin Hodge (Red Dawn), Johnny Gill (Recording Artist), Billy Bush (Access Hollywood), Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (World Boxing Champion), Adam Rodriguez (CSI Miami; Magic Mike), Benito Martinez (Sons of Anarchy), Andre Berto (Pro Boxer), McKinley Freeman (VH1’s Hit the Floor), Rory Cochrane (Argo) and many more.
We spoke to the MC of the evening, Tommy Davidson who said, “Anything that Ray asks me to do, I’m there! Juvenile diabetes…Yes! Diabetes among African-Americans…hell yes, because we’re the highest percentage.” Tommy told us that his show, Black Dynamite, will be returning to Adult Swim for a second season.
Actor, Dondre Whitfield also spoke about the disease saying, “I have two kids of my own. I have an 8-year old daughter and a 4-year old son. God forbid! We get put in a position where we’re given a lot, so it’s incumbent upon you to give a lot. You never know when you’re gonna be put in a position where you’re gonna call on someone else to provide for you.”
Tamala Jones’ advice to help prevent juvenile diabetes is “You have to learn how to cook for your children. The nutrients are in the boiled and cooked foods, not McDonalds and Carl’s Jr. as much as we all love to eat a burger. We can’t do that every day. A healthy amount of raw and cooked vegetables, lots of water and even fruit is good but not so much fruit because event that has sugar in it too. Change the diet and make them go outside and play and get from in front of the television.”
From the looks of it, the event raised a lot of money to benefit a wonderful cause and has definitely raised awareness. For more information about the Foundation and their cause, please visit: SugarRayLeonard.com.
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