Press Release: Once a boxer himself, 18-year-old Shaun admires the punching skills of fellow Philadelphia native and light heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia & Susquehanna Valley, Shaun will be at ringside when Hopkins defends his championship against Joe Calzaghe in Las Vegas this Saturday.

Shaun's wish will be granted when he attends the world championship bout between the indomitable Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe at the Thomas & Mack Center. Shaun, his parents and siblings will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas and VIP tickets located in Hopkins' corner.

This wish is a welcome change for Shaun, who boxed until he was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition that took him out of the ring. He quickly decided on his wish when volunteer wish granters from the Philadelphia & Susquehanna Valley chapter visited him, and the anticipation to watch Hopkins defend his title has been building for Shaun ever since.

Hopkins is also enthused to have a courageous teenager like Shaun in his corner cheering him on Saturday night.

"I expect a battle this Saturday night against Calzaghe, but it is put in perspective when you think of Shaun's personal battle," said Hopkins. "It will be great to have his support and I look forward to putting on great performance for him and all the fans in Philadelphia." 

 

The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and will be televised by HBO.

 

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION

Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 67 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 161,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish.