Not many people may know it, but the Olympia Boxing Club at 300 Pearl Street has a champion working in it. Jimmy Ralston has been working there for two years and back in the 1960s was seventh in the world as a light heavyweight contender. Using his expertise from the world of boxing, he organizes a champion amateur boxing event.
The Battle At The Post is the next upcoming fight he organized and it takes place at the VFW Leonard Post at 2450 Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga. It features around 12 boxers: about 4 heavyweights, several middleweights, 2 champion women boxers, and 2 juniors who are 16 years old or under. All of the boxers involved belong to USA Boxing and the event is officially sanctioned by the organization.
Everyone involved is licensed from the judges to the participants and the event even has professional announcers, not to mention beautiful ring girls to announce the rounds. This is the second fight Ralston has held at the post this year and he says, “We really pack them in. It’s going to be a great show. The last show was fantastic, this one will be too.”
The last show was a near sellout with only standing room left available. This fight will no doubt be the same with some of the names it features. Fighting in the heavyweight category will be Malik “The Lion” Blyden, Darell “The Hitman” Nati, and Lamont “The Brown Bomber” Johnson. The women fights feature the 2008 Golden Glove Champion, Chantel Weir and 2008 NYS National Silver Medal Champion and Golden Gloves Champion from the University at Buffalo, Wendy Casey.
All ages are welcome to come to the event. The fight is next Saturday, May 17th. Advance tickets are $15 and are available at Pacillo’s Sports, 1390 Hertel Avenue 873-4333 and the Pearl Street Grill, 76 Pearl Street 856-2337. You can also call the Olympia Boxing Club at 896-5390 for tickets or more information or visit Ralston’s website.