Boxing a big hit on Marco Island

Once the Irish and American fighters exchanged gifts they exchanged a barrage of punches in the inaugural International Boxing Show on Marco Island on Saturday night.

Nearly 450 boxing fans came to cheer boxers from Florida, New Jersey and Ireland as the USA fought Ireland.

The fighters were led to the ring by bagpipers T.J. Jenkins and Sean Hunt. The “National Anthem” and “Danny Boy” were sung by Mary Jo O’Regan, accompanied by Michael O’Regan.

Many of the fighters were from the Dover Boxing Club in New Jersey, an organization that is for high risk young adults. The Irish boxers are from a similar type of club.

Richie Stoltenborg, a Marco Island police officer, was the promoter, who worked with the Dover Club before moving to Marco Island.

Funds raised from the event go to Island Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Dover Boxing Club and the Florida Amateur Boxing Association. The USA team will travel for an exchange match to Ireland in August.

The matches were very competitive, with home-town favorite CJ Muntwyler fighting for the first time on the under card from the main event.

Fighting in the 141-pound Sub-Novice Class against Stephen Simon of St. Petersburg, Muntwyler won by a technical knockout in the third round when Simon could not continue due to a dislocated elbow.

“When the match started I took a hit and I realized right then that I needed to do what I was told in training or I wasn’t going to last long. The win was a reward for the hard work.”

Muntwyler’s trainer, John Russell, who trained the likes of world champion Buster Douglass, was pleased with the performance.

“I think he proved himself and can move ahead in amateur boxing,” Russell said. “He can fight.”

Muntwyler’s girl friend Kristina Wilson had not wanted CJ to box.

“I was very nervous (during the match),” she said. “He was pretty good and knows what he is doing, but I am always going to be nervous.”

Muntwyler, a bar tender at the Sand Bar on Marco Island, intends on fighting more to see how far he can go.

Island Nick Carsillo, who was a boxer years ago, winning the New Jersey National Guard champion ship at 139 pounds, enjoyed the matches.

So did Bob Calabro of Fiddlers Creek, who once won the 112-pound Long Island Golden Gloves championship in 1950.

Sandy Franchini of Cafe de Marco was one of many business people supporting the event by sponsoring bouts.

“I’ve been a boxing fan for years,” she said. “My dad boxed, using the name Lenny Lanni.”

Growing up in New Jersey, she sponsored the bout with 156-pound Anthony Gangemi of New Jersey. The fight was never in doubt as the New Jersey Fighter of the Year won by technical knockout when Ireland’s Michael Bustard could not finish. Gangemi was chosen “Fighter of the Night.”

Ray Fortune of Sand Bar Restaurant on the Island, presented Gangemi the trophy for being the best fighter. Fortune also donated $1,000 for the USA boxers to go for a rematch in Ireland in August.

The night initially ended in a tie, with each side winning four bouts. USA won the team title when the points scored by each boxer in each match were tabulated. USA won by just 11 points. The winning team cup will be displayed at the Sand Bar.

Stoltenborg said, “All the feedback that I received was phenomenal. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the event and want another one.”