Boxers named for 19th annual LI Fight for Charity match 

Businessmen and women from across Long Island have signed up to test their skills in the boxing ring ahead of the 19th annual Long Island Fight for Charity later this year.

The event, which pits members of the Island’s business community in paired matchups, will be held in November. But to give participants time to train and learn the ropes, volunteers in this year’s fights were announced Monday evening at the Mansion at Oyster Bay in Woodbury.

“The purpose behind it is for local businesspeople, both men and women, to be trained to box and ultimately raise money for a bunch of really great causes,” said Steve Kirschbaum, chairman of Long Island Fight for Charity.

This year’s boxers have obtained medical clearance and have made commitments to train and attend organization events. Each fighter has committed to raising at least $10,000 for local charities.

More than 1,200 spectators are expected at this year’s matchups, and the event is anticipating raising more than $200,000.

Kirschbaum said volunteers typically train for about  six months.

“Everyday people, bankers, lawyers, accountants, you name it …,” he said. “Some of them have a little bit of gym experience, but most of them have never stepped in a gym or a boxing ring.”

To date, the event — which was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic — has raised $1.9 million to assist Islanders in need.

Donations have been made to more than 30 groups, including the Long Island Community Chest and the Eden II/Genesis Program, which provides community-based programs for people on the autism spectrum.

The roster of fighters year includes:

• Michael “All Business” Dellaquila, of Locust Valley, with Elite Fitness and Dellaquila Properties (returning boxer)
• Eric “Packy Balboa” Ramsay, of Bay Shore, with Ramsay Realtors
• Brian “The Schwartzenator” Schwartz, of Farmingdale, with Flagstar Bank
• Dimitri “The Hellenic Hammer” Sevastos, of Astoria, Queens, with Optimus Primers
• Patrick “The Irish Banshee” Ryan, of West Islip, with A Gentle Touch Senior Home Care
• Zachary “The Zach Attack” Merritt, of Plainview, with Lessing’s Hospitality Group
• Theodore “Media Maverick” Massillon, of Fresh Meadows, with NOM Media
• Anthony “Don Nino” Lambroia, of East Northport, with Corbett Public Relations
• Justice “Prevails” Lallier, of East Setauket, with the Long Island Ducks
• Travis “Tasmanian Devil” Frasier, of Holbrook, with Elite Restoration & Construction Inc.
• Rob “The Big Show” Madden, of Huntington, with Edward Jones Investments
• Esperanza Viera, of Bay Shore, with Jones Hollow Realty Group