NEW YORK – June 28, 2016 – Inspiration was in the air June 11th as the women of boxing gathered at Seven Bistro for The Raging Babe Brunch, New York, New York, Raging Babe Events’ seventh gathering of its kind, designed to break barriers and leverage contacts to conduct business and build friendships. The gathering was the first in New York City, and drew a slew of “Raging Babes,” who together honored Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva. Included in those who attended were former NYSAC Chairwoman Melvina Lathan, Referee Sparkle Lee, IFBA World Flyweight Champion Eileen Olszewski, WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Alicia Ashley, four-time National Boxing Champion Melissa St. Vil, IWBF World Super Featherweight Champion, Ronica Jeffrey and guest speaker John Femiano of John Francis LLC.
After a rousing introduction by “Raging Babe” Michelle Rosado, attendees brunched and networked, with Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, sharing their triumphs and business cards. “The brunch is so much more than just a breakfast event,” said Rosado. “The connections forged here have resulted in business collaborations and friendships. What started as an annual event, has grown, and I can easily see us gathering quarterly, all over the country.”
Post brunch, the time had come to honor one of boxing’s trailblazers, Kathy Duva, who was presented the Raging Babe Luminary Award. Among those who shared stories of Duva’s boxing growth and dominance was Main Events’ Vice President of Operations, Joleen Mizzone, who has worked side-by-side with Duva for 19 years. Although she couldn’t attend in person due to being in California with three of Main Events’ fighters, Mizzone had colorful, but moving words for her friend and colleague. “Kathy Duva has been through a lot in her life. I have seen her overcome so much in these past 19 years. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow she is one of the strongest people I know!” She has inspired me to be the person I am in this business. Her morals and eye for this business are [expletive] extraordinary.
“One of the secrets to happiness is the innocent enjoyment of simple things,” said first-time brunch attendee and former NYSAC Chairwoman Melvina Lathan as she described the event. “With that in mind, how wonderful to share a moment in time with a group of women, dining,, conversing, and laughing, all the while emanating beauty, power, grace and joy, without even trying. It was intimate, genuine and loads of fun, especially the reading of the infamous congratulatory letter submitted by Jolene!”
“This was another inspiring event in one of the greatest cities in the world,” said Rosado of the brunch. “There was so much talent, so much heart, so much passion, and so much boxing knowledge contained in these four walls. There were lovers, fighters, survivors, and I sincerely hope that the connections they made on that day result in amazing business collaborations and lifelong friendships. I’m so grateful for everyone who attended, and to Kathy Duva, for being an example for all women in the industry.”
The Raging Babe Brunch is made possible by the generous support of several organizations. “The Raging Babe brunches are labor of love for me,” said Rosado. “They aren’t meant to put money in anyone’s pocket – on contrary, and the cost has often fallen far short of sponsor contributions. I want to take this opportunity to truly, from my heart, thank the organizations that make it possible for these events to continue. These organizations, by virtue of their partnership, celebrate and support the women of boxing, and the spirit of these events. From my heart, and the hearts of the women who attended New York, New York, thank you World Boxing Organization (WBO), War Tape, Box Stats, Boss Case, World Boxing Council (WBC), John Francis LLC and Youth Fighting Forward.
