Boxers Ready To Rumble Saturday At St. Catherine Men's Club Fight Night

OAK LAWN, IL — A fight night fundraiser will be held this Saturday, Aug. 23, organized by the St. Catherine of Alexandria Men’s Club and Letz Box Chicago. Gates open at 6 p.m., with the Charger bouts starting at 7 p.m. Fights will be held outside (weather permitting) in the parish parking lot (where the carnival is held), 10621 S. Kedvale Ave., Oak Lawn.

Sixteen fights are on the card, featuring boxers ages 9 to 27, will go three rounds. The fight card is being filled out by Dan Letz, of Letz Box Chicago, who has organized similar fight night fundraisers for St. Cajetan, Queen of Martyrs and St. John Fisher, among other venues. Letz’s club teaches neighborhood children and adults how to box at 3524 W. 111th St., Chicago.

Letz has been combing the other clubs, matching fighters in the same age and weight class. Competing as teen in Olympic-style boxing until age 19 when he got his nose busted a couple of times, Letz stopped boxing, but he never stopped training.

“Amateur boxing is three rounds,” Letz said. “Younger kids go through shorter, one-minute rounds.”

In addition to the Charger bouts, the St. Catherine’s Men’s Club will be grilling up Charger burgers and hot dogs. Pop, water, and beer will be available. Glow sticks and popcorn will be available for the kids.

Split-the-pot and raffles will be going on throughout the evening. The grand prize is a custom-made Chicago Bears table.

“This is our first fight night,” said Dan Kotyluk, president of the men’s club. “I think it will be a fun family night out. The kids go back Wednesday. It’s the first event of the school year.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 13 and under. The matches are sanctioned by USA Boxing and Illinois Boxing Committee. Purchase tickets in advance through Venmo@SCMS-Payments or via the QR code. Proceeds will go to St. Catherine School.