Boxing Returns To Evansville, Indiana

Put Down the Guns and Pick Up the Gloves

Evansville, Indiana (September 18, 2010) – Put Down the Guns and Pick Up the Gloves is a campaign that originated October 1st, 2007 in Cleveland, OH. The campaigns original members consisted of; football legend Jim Brown, Professional Boxer Ron Johnson of the American Dream Presents, Dr. CJ Matthews of Mount Sinai Ministries with an endorsement by Cleveland, Oh Mayor Frank Jackson.

Mayor Frank Jackson, Jim Brown, Ron Johnson, and Dr. CJ Matthews created this campaign to encourage kids to put down the guns and pick up a pair of boxing gloves. An alternative way for today’s youth to channel the aggression witnessed within our community streets, displacing that energy into local boxing gyms or rings. With so many inner cities giving up on the youth in their communities, this was the first time that a campaign with an emphasis on ending gang violence in major cities gained total cooperation of city officials, clergy and sports celebrities.

Since 2007, Ron Johnson has made a vow to continue to uphold the legacy of the campaign, recently partnering with Wild Bill’s Boxing, a Terre Haute, Indiana based company to help increase the awareness of the campaign. Together they will be hosting an event associated with Put Down the Guns and Pick Up the Gloves, September 18, 2010 at the Metro Sports Center located at 5820 Metro Centre Drive, Evansville, IN 47715. This event is a 6-round fight card, headlined by Las Vegas’ cruiserweight Aaron “Awesome” Williams, who will be facing Leo Bercier of Great Falls, Montana. The Co-feature bout will be Northern Ireland’s Henry “The Western Warrior” Coyle.

Put Down the Guns and Pick Up the Gloves is dedicated to helping stop senseless violence amongst our youth. The goal of this event is to lead by example, to show that boxing can be an exuberating alternative outlet to suppress anger. For ticket information, call (818) 471-4177. Limited seating available, priced at $35.00 ringside and $20.00 general admission. Kids 12 and under are admitted free with paying adults, general admission only.