Billionaire, Boxing Greats and a Young Rockets Star Enjoy a Wild Night of Blood: When Boxing Goes Black Tie
BY Shelby Hodge // 02.28.17What: Black Tie Boxing benefit
Where: Silver Street Studios
PC Moment: The combination of the sweat and blood sport with black-tie formality wasn’t a first but it is a rarity. Credit goes to Savarese Promotions‘ Lou Savarese, former professional boxing champion and two-time Golden Gloves winner, who in conjunction with B&B Butchers‘ Benjamin Berg organized the evening benefiting the Lone Survivor Foundation. The rare ballroom boxing fundraiser included a swank cocktail reception, a seated dinner from the popular steakhouse, and boxing matches.
Terry Jung, executive director of the Lone Survivor Foundation, introduced the two military veteran amputee pugilists, Eric Morante and Alex “Titanium” Del Rio, who competed to reinforce the evening’s non-profit. All proceeds from betting on the fights and the raffle were earmarked for the non-profit.
Who: Retired boxing greats Eric “Butterbean” Esch and Riddick Bowe, plus Tilman Fertitta, Javier Loya, Randall Davis, Dan Pastorini, David Denenburg, Jim Janke, Michael Berry, Jody James, Jack Raines, Tom Laird, Nick Florescu, Steve Wyatt, and Houston Rockets forward Sam Dekker.