Professional and amateur boxers jumped in the ring on Saturday, Mar. 7, for the Freeport Police Athletic League’s (PAL) Ring Masters Championship, an event which raised $5,000 for two lifelong Freeport residents, Mitchell Kraeling and Tom Courtenay, both of whom are fighting cancer. All the event’s funds will go directly towards Kraeling’s and Courtenay’s treatments.
The winner of the boxing tournament was another Freeport resident, Reese Mistretta, who is ranked third nationally in his weight class and celebrated a unanimous win in the last bout of the day.
Kraeling and Joe Higgins, president of the Freeport PAL and director of its boxing club, emphasized the club’s significance to the community.
“To get the kids off the street has become such a big thing for the Freeport boxing gym,” Kraeling said. “The gym is packed every night, which is great for the community. They get some discipline.”
Most of last Saturday’s bouts determined the quarterfinal winners in the Ring Master’s Championship, and some decided semifinals winners, some of whom may box at Madison Square Garden next month. The event started with a fight between two amateur volunteers who were not in the tournament.
“They were tough,” Higgins said. “Now you’ll watch the rest of the day and see what level they’re on.”
Obed Aurelus of Westbury, who fought Freeport boxer Jayden Villegas in the first bout, in the 132 pound weight class. Aurelus said of his opponent, “We train all the time together, we spar … (We’re) just trying to get better and see who’s the best.”
Boxers stressed the sacrifices they make to stay committed — early-morning runs, weight “cutting” and lost time with family and friends.
“If you don’t work hard, you don’t train hard, you don’t believe in yourself, you’re disrespecting people who do believe in you,” said Kiamal Evelyn, a.k.a. Left.
The boxers expressed a deep care for the cause of the day. “It’s very important,” said Tyrique Tommlin, of Freeport. “It’s life. It’s very sentimental. So I feel like it’s a great cause.”
For some, it was more personal. “I have a grandma and an aunt who died of cancer,” Evelyn said. “It’s super, super sad. I’d say cancer should be our biggest — along with autism — concern as a country, as a nation … we gotta knock out cancer.”
The annual fundraising event usually supports Kids Need More, a charity that focuses on patients with life-threatening illnesses. Kraeling is a member of the organization’s advisory board, and its treasurer, Johnny Ray, thought it was time to give back to Kraeling, and to help Courtenay, too.
“They’re folks that need help,” Ray said. “This is what we do — it’s our purpose on the planet.”
Ray reminisced about Kraeling’s good deeds. “Once we had a girl who wanted to take a photo by the water, at our sleepaway camp,” Ray said. “And she couldn’t get down there because … she was in a wheelchair. [Kraeling] actually put her in his truck and drove his truck halfway into the water, all the way to the photo shoot. That’s the kind of guy he is … always gonna go to the next level.”
Kraeling said he would always have two children, a daughter and son — even though his son died 13 years ago, at age 22, of a Ewing sarcoma, a type of pediatric cancer. After that, he did a lot of fundraising for Kids Need More.
Kraeling grew up in Freeport, the youngest of six children, and everyone in his family worked hard, he said. He continues to live in the village with his daughter, an honors student at Stony Brook.
Courtenay, who has a wife, son and daughter, was a first responder on Sept. 11, 2001, when he served as a New York City police officer. His brain cancer is believed to have been caused by his exposure to hazardous materials after the attacks.
“Tommy is one of the great Freeport people,” Kraeling said. “He’s kind-hearted … Everybody loves Tommy … He does a lot of singing, karaoke. He’s a great father.”
Kids Need More sponsored Saturday’s event, along with the Guardian Bus Company, Island Electric, Laurie Gioveniello, Roofers and Waterproofers Local 154, Ben Jackson, Steve’s Meats and Montana Brothers Pizza.
Higgins said he had “a special appreciation for all our volunteer coaches that open the gym day after day for 30 years.”
Mistretta, who won the last bout, defeating Jeminie Ramirez, said, “It’s a great cause to actually be here … We know the money’s going somewhere good.”
The Ring Masters Elite Finals will be held at Madison Square Garden on April 10. To support Tom Courtenay, visit gofundme.com/f/standing-with-tommy-9-11-hero-needs-us.
