Five Fighters Join Team Fight to Walk!

O’BRIEN AND EL HARRAK TO DONATE FOLLOWING UPCOMING BOUTS

New York, NY (May 18, 2011) – Junior middleweight contender DeAndre Latimore and prospects Sid El Harrak, Denis Douglin, Vinny O’Brien, and Delen Parsley have all joined Team Fight to Walk.

Created by unbeaten junior middleweight and West Point graduate Boyd Melson in association with Justadollarplease.org, Team Fight to Walk’s mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community about the importance of stem cell research for spinal cord injuries.

Globally recognized as one of the best 154 pound fighters on the planet, Latimore, 22-3 (17 KO’s), is working towards landing another world title bout. The hard hitting Las Vegas based St. Lucian dropped a controversial decision in 2009 to then titlist Cory Spinks, but has won three of his last four bouts to put himself back in the mix.

“I’m very happy to be helping out,” said Latimore. “I know many people that are paralyzed and becoming involved makes me feel like a better person because I know that I’m helping those in need.”

Although he’s only fought twice as a professional, O’Brien, 2-0 (2 KO’s), has already made a splash in the North Jersey area. The charismatic and likeable East Hanover resident is a crowd pleasing fighter who brings a bevy of fans to support him. He’s also agreed to donate a percentage of his purse following his fight Friday evening in Newark, NJ.

Known as “The Messenger”, El Harrak had an outstanding 52-8 amateur record and turned pro in 2008, declining an opportunity to represent Morocco in the Olympic Games. Based out of Santa Clara, CA, El Harrak has an excellent 10-1 professional ledger and will donate a percentage of commission from ticket sales following his June 17 bout.

“I chose to get involved because helping make a difference in ones life is a beautiful thing,” said the talented welterweight. If everyone was willing to lend a helping hand to hose in need, a lot could be done and the world would be a better place to live in.”

Like El Harrak, Douglin, 12-1 (8 KO’s), is a 23 year old with the heart of a champion. The Morganville, NJ native and 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion decided to become involved with the cause after hearing about the daily struggles that people suffering from severe must endure.

Parsley, also an unbeaten rising star, is 5-0 with 2 knockouts and is quickly becoming a fan favorite in his native New York City. The former Junior Olympic Champion didn’t think twice about joining.

“Everyone deserves a chance to enjoy life to its fullest potential,” Parsley said of joining Team Fight to Walk. “It also feels great to help others that are having their hardships in life.”

With five new members representing Team Fight to Walk and a number of others expected to join the fight in the near future, Dr. Patricia Morton, Director of The Spinal Cord Injury Project, is thrilled by the generosity of the boxing community.

“I am awed by passion and commitment of these fighters to find a cure for all people with spinal cord injuries,” said Dr. Morton, who launched JustADollarPlease.org. “We are deeply grateful for what they are doing for this entire community.”

Tax deductible donations can be made at Justadollarplease.org and Team Fight to Walk’s website, Teamfighttowalk.com, will have more information along with updates shortly.

VINNY ‘THE LION’ O’BRIEN JOINS JUSTADOLLARPLEASE.ORG

(EAST HANOVER, NJ)—Welterweight prospect Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien has recently announced his involvement with the charity JustADollarPlease.org and that he will be donating 10 percent of his purse from his May 20 fight to the organization.

JustADollarPlease.org is the fundraising project of SCINetUSA, the clinical trial network that was launched to test promising treatments for chronic spinal cord injury in the US. SCINetUSA will organize, administer, train clinicians and get approvals for the clinical trials.

O’Brien is also joining Team Fight to Walk, which is in association with the JustADollarPlease.org. It is a team of fighters that are helping raise awareness and funds for the pending clinical trial.

“This organization was brought to me and I read up on it and did my research and truly believe it’s a great organization,” said O’Brien. “And I just wish my purse was $20 million. Not only me, but most of us wake up in the morning and get out of bed and take advantage that we have use of every limb and full control of our bodies. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be for the patients and anything I can do to bring even just one person a little closer to motor movement and a dream to walk again I will.”

Since making his professional debut March 5, O’Brien has been garnering international attention due to his intense fight style and ability to put on a show for the fans. But outside of the ring the up-and-coming welterweight stays just as busy as when he is training for a fight.

In addition to working with JustADollarPlease.org, O’Brien also does his part to help impact other charitable organizations, including United Way, Boys and Girls Club and Find A Dream.

“It means a lot to me to be able to give back and be a part of these organizations,” said O’Brien. “Athletes are held in a higher standard, and it is important that we donate our time to charities. I feel like I have a great responsibility to reach out to those in need and be a positive role model or someone they can turn to for inspiration or motivation. Athletes have to lead by example.”

O’Brien stated in an interview prior to his first fight that besides making a huge impact in the boxing world with his skills and performance in the ring, outside of the ring he was adamant about bringing class back to the sport.

Actions speak louder than words, and rather than simply telling the fans and media what they want to hear to boost his popularity, the young fighter has and continues to live up to his words by diligently doing all he can.

“Boxing has been a big part of my life and more recently over the past four years,” said O’Brien. “Not to be a cliché but I was born for this, and everything about me is made for the path I’m on now. I will always be a part of boxing and find any and all ways I can help this sport. Boxing has been around since the gladiators and is an American tradition, and it deserves the respect of anyone involved with the sport to help bring class back to this beautiful science.”

Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien returns to action next Friday, May 20 as he will be making his debut on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. To purchase tickets contact Lou Esa at 973-885-7962. For more information on Vinny visit www.thelionobrien.com or www.facebook.com/home.php#!/VinnyLionOBrien.

To donate now visit JustADollarPlease.org.