Organization aids inner-city amateur boxing in NJ

Press Release: The amateur boxing organization, C.O.M.B.A.T.T., Inc. will honor former world heavyweight champions George Foreman and Evander Holyfield on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey.  Also among the honorees that night will be matchmaker, Bobby Goodman, local ringside physician, Dr. Howard Taylor, and area community leaders, Lavern Webb-Washington and Larry Hamm.  The winners are being honored for their dedication and contributions to youth, the community at large and the sports of boxing and martial arts.  Bernard Hopkins and Arturo Gatti, promoter Don King and other boxing celebrities are expected to be in attendance to celebrate the organization’s fifth anniversary. 

C.O.M.B.A.T.T. is a non-profit group promoting education, healthy physical development, and recreation activities for youth.  They assist participants in improving self-concepts and social development, redirecting participants’ negative behaviors and deterring potential criminal/gang activities that often lead to detention/incarceration.  “This year’s dinner kicks off an exciting new year for C.O.M.B.A.T.T.”, said Larry Hazzard, founder of the organization.  “We are expanding our scope of services to include other aspects of combative sports such as traditional and mixed martial arts, as well as offer physical fitness training, performing arts activities, and various life skills workshops to local residents. Our major focus will remain with our youth, but we will offer these additional services for nominal fees to the public to help cover the cost of our youth services,” he continued. 

Dinner chairperson Mahasin Scott stated, “With the drastic funding cuts we’ve experienced from the City of Newark this year, we are relying heavily on our fund raising efforts and private donations to maintain our existence. Our young people are counting on us to continue to provide much needed services to them and their families.  We are very thankful to the boxing and martial arts communities, and other concerned individual supporters which continue to provide private resources, financially, as well as physically by participating as mentors to our youth,” she added. A celebrity reception will begin at 5:30 pm and dinner will be served at 6:45 pm.  All tickets must be purchased in advance for a donation of $75.  Please call 973-824-4900 or 973-651-6884 for more information.