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PHILADELPHIA: Boxers Spar To Help Referee Raise Funds For Son By: Edward J. Vassallo 10/07/2004 Not only were there entertaining boxing matches but there were boxing legends everywhere you looked. Inside the National Guard Armory on Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton Road amateur pugilists traded punches in the ring while autograph seekers hounded the likes of former Heavyweight Champs Michael Spinks and Joe Frazier, his son, Marvis Frazier and former Middleweight Champ Joey Giardello. "This is a worthy cause," said Joe Frazier. "This could happen to anyone. I'm just happy I could come here and help things go well for Frank." Also, fresh from his knockout of Oscar De La Hoya on Sept. 18, the Middleweight Champion of the World Bernard Hopkins arrived and had something to say. "Last Saturday you saw number 19," he said, "20 title defenses is my goal." Hopkins says he wanted to settle an old score from 1993, referring to his last defeat at the hands of Roy Jones Jr. But the night before on Sept. 25 Jones was knocked out by Glen Robinson. "I don't have to look there anymore," Hopkins said. Instead, Hopkins, who reminded everyone that he is turning 40 in January, has decided to go up in weight and fight either Antonio Tarver or Glen Robinson possibly sometime in February. But for now Hopkins invites everyone to a parade in his honor on Oct. 9 from the Blue Horizon to the City Hall Courtyard. "We haven't had a parade like this since the Sixers in '83," he said. This entire event was rescheduled from Sept. 18 to Sept. 26 in order for Hopkins to attend and help his friend Frank Cappuccino Sr. raise money for his son. Frank Jr., a 53-year-old Navy veteran, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease more than 11 years ago. As his condition deteriorated he was forced to quit his job as a pit boss in a New York state casino. He now needs around-the-clock care and even had transmitters surgically implanted in his brain stem to keep the disease from worsening. Although, his father doesn't think there was much improvement. Meanwhile, Frank Sr., a Yardley resident, has exhausted his bank account caring for his son. He may have refereed 93 world championship bouts during his more than 40 year officiating career but his toughest fight is that between his son and Parkinson's. After trying to pay the medical expenses out-of-pocket his friends have told him he's in over his head. That's when he came up with the idea for this benefit. State Sen. Michael D. Stack (D-5) got the fund-raising started as he presented both a citation for the state Senate and a $750 check from his campaign fund. "This is in recognition of Frank for his devotion to his family," Stack said, "and all he has done to fight Parkinson's." With that the Boxing Extravaganza began. Fans poured into the armory leaving some with standing room only. They watched the fights, took a picture with a legend and bid on some boxing memorabilia. Besides those in attendance, other boxers helped out by donating items for the silent auction. Larry Holmes, Mickey Ward, Auturo Gatti, Jerry Cooney, Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearnes and James Toney, just to name a few, gave signed boxing gloves, pictures, trunks. "Frank is a good friend of mine," Giardello said, "I was glad to do it for him." Meanwhile, inside the ring a few friendly bouts delivered some harsh bows to the delight of the crowd. Even the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Boxing Commission Greg Sirb got into the spirit of the event by boxing Vinny Calio, an amateur boxer and contestant on the reality TV show The Next Great Champ. Some former boxers also laced up the gloves one more time for a good cause. Former IBF Junior Middleweight Champ Buster Drayton showed he still had quick hands, quick feet and some stamina as he took on Brian Cohen and Dancin' Dan Schneider one right after the other. All the fights throughout the day were scheduled for three rounds. Then just before the final bout between former boxer and movie actor Randall "Tex" Cobb and Joey Eye, the crowd was presented with one more auction item. Although the silent auction had ended, a live auction began for a pair of autographed boxing trunks donated by Hopkins'. Frank Sr. stood in the center of the ring as eager members of the crowd shouted out their bids. Going once, twice, three times the trunks were sold for $510. "I want to thank everyone," Frank Sr. said. "My son would like to thank you. If I could get him up here I would." As he tried to speak Frank Sr. was overcome with emotion, a sure sign that this event was a complete success. SOURCE: Northeast Philadelphia News Gleaner, PA http://tinyurl.com/7xzq9 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn