Unforgettable Event! Rumble at the Ritz And The Future of Boxing are Winners

A Canadian premiere with boxing legends Sugar Ray Leonard, Jake "Raging Bull" LaMotta, Leon Spinks and Joe Cortez

MONTREAL, June 6, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Two hundred VIP enjoyed an unforgettable evening at the "Rumble at the Ritz" on Tuesday for the official book launch of The Future of Boxing collector's edition by author Alexandre Choko. Guests shared a moment of history at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal with boxing luminaries Sugar Ray Leonard, Jake "Raging Bull" LaMotta, Leon Spinks and referee Joe "Fair but Firm" Cortez.

The gala featured enlightening comments by the boxing figures, live fights and an exquisite culinary experience courtesy of chefs Éric Gonzalez of L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel, Marino Tavares of Ferreira Café, Renato Ferrante of Da Vinci Ristorante and Patrick Bermand of Patrick Bermand Restaurant in Mont-Tremblant. Among those in attendance, Mr. Choko and Mr. Andrew Torriani, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, had the pleasure to welcome, Mr. François Dumontier (President and CEO of Octane Racing Group Inc., promoter of the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada), Honorary Consul of Canada in Monaco, Mr. Marc Devito, Mr. Vincent Guzzo (Guzzo cinemas), Mr. G. Pierre Lapointe (Chairman of the Executive Board of Jarislowsky Fraser), as well as boxer Jean Pascal, internationally known designer Mr. Michel Dallaire, local actors Hugo Giroux and Deano Clavet, partner of Guy Laliberté and singer Garou at Auberge St-Gabriel Mr. Marc Bolay.

The most-touching moment of the evening involved Mr. Spinks. The former heavyweight champion had his heart broken when someone stole his gold medal from the 1976 Montreal Olympics from his home years ago. On Tuesday, he received a very pleasant surprise.

"Thanks to the Olympic committee, the efforts of wife Mrs. Brenda Glur-Spinks and entertainment lawyer Mr. Jon Jabenis, we were proud and honored to have Sugar Ray surprise Leon and put a new Olympic gold medal around his neck", says Mr. Choko. "It was a touching moment. Everyone had tears in their eyes."

Iconic boxing items worn by Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard from the estate of their famous trainer Angelo Dundee, as well as a spare torch from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games signed by Muhammad Ali and the replica of the famous leopard robe worn by the "Raging Bull" were auctioned live at the event. Mr. Choko and the boxing legends are thankful for the generosity of their guests, which raised thousands of dollars for the Starlight Children's Foundation.

This remarkable night was made possible by the collaboration of partners and friends such as: Future of Boxing Publishing, Guzzo Cinemas, Tombolini, TW Steel, Decarie Motors and The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton.

About the book:

The Future of Boxing is an amazing book filled with memorable pictures and exclusive one-on-one interviews with famous, influential, and controversial figures. Together for the first time in one book, boxing legends such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko, Jake LaMotta, Leon Spinks, Lennox Lewis, Sugar Ray Leonard and Mike Tyson discuss the sport they love, its past, present and future with more than 55 exclusive interviews. The book features more than 600 photos of boxing greats, iconic moments and dramatic triumphs. It also includes brief biographies of each interviewee and first-hand accounts from the greats themselves on the competitive world of professional boxing. Readers will meet them as they are today and discover what they have to say about their lives and careers, as well as their thoughts about the future of boxing. Choko's intimate knowledge of life in the ring helped create an authentic bond between subject and interviewer that led to dozens of revealing moments.

The book can be purchased online at www.futureofboxing.com  and all major book stores.

SOURCE: Future of Boxing

To download pictures of the event, please click on the link:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/renfhfcdd29tmy3/KAXNt2ikUT

Source:   www.futureofboxing.com

Media relations:  Leeja Murphy, Agence Pink Marketing [email protected]   C 514 213-0045