Events | The Lions Den CT

A “FIGHT” NIGHT TO REMEMBER

On behalf of the Lion’s Den Training Center owner Douglas Cartelli and VP of Operations Craig Salamone, we would like to thank all those who came out to support “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT” fundraiser boxing event on June 26th, 2010. The event was an over-whelming success and shows just how close our community is in helping others in need. We would especially like to thank all of the participants who gave so much of their time, blood, sweat and tears for this cause. It takes an awful lot of courage to climb into the ring, on any level, and every one of these guys and girls should be commended. The Lion’s Den would also like to thank Jose Canseco who made a special trip out here to be part of this cause. His over-all concern and desire to help people of a community he is not a part of is a testament to his character and was appreciated by everyone involved.

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Who would ever guess that getting punched in the face or ribs, (to name just a couple of places), would turn out to be a wonderful way of giving back to six families in need. Well, on June 26th at the CT
Convention Center, it was just that.

“Boxing and boxers aren’t about violence,” said Lion’s Den Training Center VP of Operations Craig Salamone. “It’s about guts, stamina and determination. We wanted to showcase something that took guts, stamina and determination to not only raise money for the families of our six fallen brothers, but to show them that there are certain people in this community who are willing to put themselves through hell in honor of their memory. That’s what this was all about.”
The six fallen brothers Salamone was referring to were victims of the Kleen Energy Plant explosion in February of 2010 in Middletown, Ct. The entire night was dedicated to the memories of Peter Chupulis, Donald Crabb, Raymond Dobratz, Kenneth Haskell, Roy Rushton, Christopher Walters and their families.

“We didn’t know each other,” said Lion’s Den owner Douglas Cartelli, “but we’re still part of the same community, which makes us brothers. From what I’ve heard about these six men, they were wonderful human beings, who if this happened to one of their union brothers, would be here supporting them too. I’m very impressed with the amazing turn out, but it doesn’t surprise me.”

          To make the show successful, Cartelli and Salamone gathered as many “volunteers” who dared to step in the ring. They included local police officers, firemen, and union workers.
         “We didn’t have to beg or plead for these guys to start their training,” Salamone said. “They came to us, anxious to do this. There was never any second guessing with these guys. They committed, and never looked back. I’m very proud of them.”
          And to ensure that the show was as enticing to spectators as possible, Cartelli pulled out all the stops, bringing in baseball legend Jose Canseco to help fill the main event.
          “A lot of people judge this guy (Canseco) on what they hear in the news and see on television,” Cartelli was quick to point out. “But they have no idea what really happened or what this guy is about. The truth is Jose is a caring guy who flew across country for a matter of hours to be part of this cause because he was genuinely touched by what happened. Forget about the baseball stuff, that says enough for me.”

The show itself was as exciting as any boxing event can get without the names Mayweather, Paquiao or Tyson headlining the card.

“It’s actually more exciting when you’re watching someone you know,” pointed out Salamone. “Most of the people here know one of the competitors. That alone makes the show more exciting and memorable.”

And memorable it was, from the first bout which showcased two skilled twelve year old girls, to the cops versus firemen slugfests, to the sports first wheelchair boxing match featuring a current world
champion, all the way to the main event featuring a popular local business owner and a shunned former major league all-star.

“It couldn’t have gone better,” said Cartelli. “Nobody got hurt, the fans had a great time, and we raised a lot of money for a great cause. I just hope that our community can come together like this again, but under much better circumstances.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO LION’S DEN GRAPPLERS ON THEIR AWESOME PERFOMANCE AT NAGA’S “BATTLE AT THE BEACH” IN WILDWOOD, NJ. THE LION’S DEN CONTINUES THEIR SUCCESS AT NAGA, WITH 47 GRAPPLERS OUT OF 54 PLACING SINCE 2008! IN PICTURE BELOW: PABLO ARROYO (2ND PLACE), MIKE SABO (2 1ST PLACE), JASON SABO (3RD PLACE), DESIREE GOODWIN (3RD PLACE), AND SEBBY MANGIAFICO (1ST PLACE). ALSO IN PICTURE IS LION’S DEN GRAPPLING COACH ROB KLEZUN (2ND FROM LEFT). THE LION’S DEN WANTS TO THANK ROB FOR ALL OF HIS HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION IN DEVELOPING OUR TEAM INTO FIRST CLASS GRAPPLERS!

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