Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
Mayor Toni Harp Friday recognized the triumphs of three New Haven-raised boxers at a pro-amateur event at Foxwoods Casino.
Super flyweight prospect Marisa Messer-Belenchia and undefeated featherweight prospect Tramaine Williams got special proclamations and former three-time light heavyweight world champion Chad Dawson (pictured above) received a key to the city.
“They made their hometown proud that day,” Harp said of the June 29 event. She said the boxers “embody the connection between commitment, dedication, hard work, and professional success.”
At an event on the steps of City Hall last month to announce the fight, Harp revealed she too has been taking boxing lessons. Of the flourishing boxing community in New Haven, Harp said , “the coaches and trainers at these facilities work with young people in New Haven towards fitness, endurance, and expertise. All of which are useful and productive skills, especially for young people to develop.”
MELISSA BAILEY PHOTO
Chad Dawson standing over opponent Bernard Hopkins Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall in 2012.
“Bad” Chad Dawson beat opponent Quinton Rankin at Foxwoods at the June 29th bout in his 35th career win. Dawson serves as a coach and mentor to young boxers at his Chad Dawson’s Champion Breed Boxing Gym. He said he plans to “stay on the right path, and hopefully win one more world title before I call it quits.”
Sophie Sonnenfeld Photo
The inscription on Dawson’s key reads: “To ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson for his distinguished career in professional boxing as a Middleweight and Light Heavyweight boxer. Chad was raised and attended public schools in New Haven. Bad Chad has won 35 of 42 professional boxing matches and has held multiple Light Heavyweight world championships.”
Messer-Belenchia had a successful professional debut with her unanimous decision win over Delaney Owens in the female flyweight division on June 29. Although she said the fight “went very well,” she admitted it was also “very bloody.” Messer-Belenchia said this was the first time she had ever been head-butted in a fight, and had to celebrate her win in the hospital right afterwards. Messer-Belenchia thanked her coach, saying she was well prepared to make it through the fight. Now that she’s healed, she said, her next fight might be in Kansas City, Missouri.
The city of New Haven Proclamation for Messer-Belenchia states: “Boxing is not about your feelings; it’s about performance. Where as Marisa’s biggest accomplishments are as follows: Black Belt Western New England Champion, World Champion, New England Novice Champion, and a number of other titles. Now therefore, the city of New Haven acknowledges and applauds Marisa Messer-Belenchia for her continued success in the professional sport of boxing.”
Classic Entertainment in Sports (CES) Founder and CEO Jimmy Burchfield Sr. referenced Harp’s current hard-fought reelection campaign, saying “Mayor, you’re in a fight too, but champions have that perseverance as Chad and Marisa have.”
CES Boxing Promoter Luis Serrano also grew up and learned to box in New Haven. “It’s awesome to see the hard work these guys put in to live up to their dreams and see how they are giving back to the community in building the next series of boxers.” he said.
Undefeated fighter Tramaine Williams missed out on the award presentation because he was preparing for a fight on Saturday in Texas. Saturday’s fight will determine if he has a chance to compete for an IBF or WBO world title.