It’s one fight where everyone’s in the same corner.
DUMBO, a neighborhood now known for art galleries, studios, and even some artists actually living there, will honor its hardscrabble, bare-knuckles past with a boxing fundraiser to help preserve the historic, yet vibrant, neighborhood between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.
Hosted by the DUMBO Improvement District, the inaugural fundraiser will feature art, music and dance (that’s the tribute to DUMBO’s present) followed by a real boxing card put together by Gleason’s Gym.
“We wanted to bring the community together to celebrate what DUMBO is now known for — its artists — and its past into one night,” said Jane Kojima of the Improvement District.
No fight night would be complete without someone lacing up the gloves. Luckily, Gleason’s owner Bruce Silverglade, was game. “I try to do whatever I can,” he said.
The marquee bout will pit Maria “the Blonde Bomber” Frisk against Sacred Downing, the nation’s number one amateur boxer.
Not all the clashing will be in the ring. Classical musicians will take on hip-hop artists (albeit with beats and rhythms rather than dukes). Professional dancers will go toe-to-toe with break-dancers to see if the pirouette can knock out the moonwalk.
The winner will be DUMBO itself.
“All of the money raised will go to the maintenance fund for the cobblestone streets,” said Kojima.
“Fight Night: The Fight to Preserve DUMBO,” St. Ann’s Warehouse (38 Water St., between Dock and Main streets, in DUMBO), Sept. 20, 6 pm. $50 per person ($100 per family). Call (718) 237-8700 for information.
