Around Town: Ringside for Youth

[guest]

From left, event founder Steve Gallant with boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and event chair Jeff O’Reilly at the Ringside for Youth XX charity boxing night held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, Rohan Bansie with boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard at the Ringside for Youth XX fundraiser held at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Thursday, June 12, 2014. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder with businessman Bill Shenkman at the Ringside for Youth XX fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, community volunteer Dennis Jackson with Wayne Wouters, Clerk of the Privy Council, at the Ringside for Youth XX fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard was seen signing autographs and posing for photos at the Ringside for Youth XX held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, MC Angelo Tsarouchas with former pro-boxer Gerry Cooney at the Ringside for Youth XX charity boxing night in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

From left, Brian Cooper and Dick Cooper from The Cooper Brothers performed at the Ringside for Youth XX fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa
Citizen)


How sweet it was to be at this year’s 20th anniversary Ringside for Youth with Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest fighters of all time.

The former world champ and Olympic gold medalist was seen signing autographs and striking the classic boxing pose while posing for photos with fans at the sold-out charity event, held Thursday at the Ottawa Convention Centre.

“I can’t think of anything more special than to have him here for the 20th,” event founder Steve Gallant, first vice president and investment advisor with CIBC Woody Gundy, told Around Town. “He’s phenomenal. He’s just so gracious and a real sportsman.”

Organizers had been trying for a few years to get Leonard to Ringside but conflicts with dates got in the way. The retired boxer, who is an experienced public speaker, was an absolute hit with the audience of 1,300 that night.

The annual charity boxing night has raised more than $2.5 million for the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. In recognition of its success, Mayor Jim Watson dropped in to proclaim it Ringside for Youth Day. He made the special presentation to musicians Dick and Brian Cooper of The Cooper Brothers band. They’ve been involved with the fundraiser since day one and are celebrating a milestone year with their 40th anniversary.

The secret to Ringside’s success is that it’s more than just a typical night out in Ottawa. “It’s like a spectacle,” said volunteer chair Jeff O’Reilly, general manager of D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub. “It’s a who’s who of the Ottawa business community with great live entertainment, amateur boxing and actual celebrities. Plus, you’re raising money for a great cause.”

Prominent businessman Bill Shenkman, Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder and Wayne Wouters, Clerk of the Privy Council, were just a few of the faces glimpsed in the crowd during the cocktail reception.

Former pro-boxer Gerry Cooney was back as Youth Ambassador while comedian and actor Angelo Tsarouchas, a former resident of Ottawa, returned to MC the night. He was seen hanging with his pal, Nick Pantieras, a local commercial real estate broker.

The Cooper Brothers performed at the Ringside for Youth XX fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club, held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Mayor Jim Watson (joined by musicians Brian Cooper, left, and Dick Cooper, from The Cooper Brothers) declared it Ringside for Youth Day in honour of the $2.5 million raised to date for the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa from the popular fundraiser, held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

The boys in blue — Ottawa Police Staff Sgts. Atallah Sadaka, left, and Roger Giasson — strike a pose with boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard at the Ringside for Youth XX fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard is flanked by comedian Angelo Tsarouchas, right, and Nick Pantieras at the Ringside for Youth XX charity event held Thursday, June 12, 2014, at the Ottawa Convention Centre. (Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen)

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