Thrilla in Camilla This Friday
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By Katie McFadden
It’s ‘bout to go down at St. Camillus. The 8th Annual Thrilla in Camilla, a night of FDNY Boxing for a good cause, is Friday, June 28.
Things are about to get hot in the ring as FDNY Boxing takes on the Atlanta Police Department and some other worthy opponents in the St. Camillus lot on Beach 100th Street. The gates open at 6 p.m., the FDNY Emerald Society Bagpipe Band kicks it off with some music at 7 p.m., and by 7:30 p.m., the first bell rings for the first fight, beginning a night of 12 bouts between lightweight, welterweight and heavyweight boxers.
In recent years, FDNY Boxing has taken on teams from Ireland, but this year they’re facing stateside opponents from Atlanta to Yonkers. Last year, the Atlanta Police Department invited FDNY Boxing to their charitable matchup. “We owed them a trip,” FDNY Boxing president Bobby McGuire said.
While there’s no grudge match this year, McGuire says there are some special fights to look forward to. Firefighter Danny Quinn of Ladder 9, a Rockaway resident, will be taking on Shaun Johnson of the Atlanta Police Department in Bout 9. Right after that, Firefighter Vinny Palumbo of Engine 253 takes on Jack Haberman of the Freeport Police Athletic League in a heavyweight matchup. An earlier fight to look out for, Bout 5 has Firefighter John Hamilton of Engine 271 facing Nick Piperis of the Yonkers Fire Department in a heavyweight match.
As FDNY Boxing’s motto goes, “We’ll fight anyone, anywhere, at any time, as long as it’s for a good cause.” As with the past several years, Thrilla in Camilla has been for the benefit of Tunnel to Towers. Over the last two years, through various events, FDNY Boxing has been able to donate $200K to the charity that does so much for military heroes and first responders. “We’re really big fans of Tunnel to Towers,” McGuire said. “They support not only our veterans, but our first responders who are killed or catastrophically injured, by paying for their mortgages, and they have a new program that is getting homeless veterans new homes. So Tunnel to Towers is close to our hearts.”
McGuire says they’re hoping with the money raised from Thrilla in Camilla, they’ll be able to donate another $50K. Through ticket sales, sponsorships and a 50/50 raffle during the event, they’re hoping to raise the funds. Stephen Siller, the son of the late firefighter who died on 9/11, which the charity is named for, will be at Thrilla on Friday to accept a check. This will take place during intermission after Bout 6, where The Connolly Sisters will perform “God Bless America.” Some professional boxing greats will also be in attendance including John Duddy, Vito Antuofermo and Iran Barkley.
The 50/50 winner will be pulled after Bout 10. T-shirts and other FDNY Boxing merchandise will be up for sale to help support the team. There will also be food, beverage and cigar vendors on site. The after party will take place right after Bout 12 ends, at Whit’s End on Beach 97th Street.
The event would not be possible without sponsorships. Some of the major donors include Forged Irish Stout, which sponsors FDNY Boxing itself, Bud Light, Heineken, Labatt Blue, Manhattan Beer Company and local sponsors, the brand-new Pilot House gastropub, which opens in Arverne by the Sea on Saturday, The Wharf, Bungalow Bar, plus Wicked Monk, Local 79, Local 638 and the Queens Board of Business Agents, among many others.
“Come out and support not only FDNY Boxing, but a charity that helps so many, while watching 12 very exciting bouts of amateur boxing, outdoors, under the stars in beautiful Rockaway Beach,” McGuire said.
Tickets will be sold at the gate but are encouraged to purchase in advance. General admission is $30, Ringside Section B seats are $50 and VIP Ringside seats are $100. For tickets and more info, see: fdnyboxing.org
