A Knock-Out! Police, Fire, Labor, Politics, Friends Pull No Punches for Cheryl Hurley

Cheryl Hurley and her expected baby witnessed the miracle of the Ring - The Square Ring. Last night more than 4,000 paid admission to catch the fights;not for Don King's pockets, but to help the widow with child.

Cheryl Hurley is expecting her first baby. Cheryl's Chicago Police Husband John was killed returning from a benefit to help another family last August. Behind Illinois Crime Commissioner
Jerry Elsner and Hurley Baby Chairman Marty McGarry, thousands of people black, white, Hispanic, bikers, pipefitters, cops, fireman, school teachers, politicians ( the best of them, anyway) friends, and neighbors filled the Oak Brook Drury Lane to watch 15 bouts of of the sweet science.

Tom Dart sold tickets, Joe Birkett worked as a scoring judge, Congressional Candidate John T. Kelly sold tickets ( I did Not see the other two candidates nor did any one else that I spoke to )Jerry Esner was everywhere, the Pipefitter's 597's Tom Kotel did a lot of heavy lifting, and FOP's Mark Donahue helped scared little kids find their Moms and Dads through a crowd thick with goodwill.

While the fight card was being finalized singer Chuck Drager entertained with Sinatra Stylings and the Chicago Police Department's Emerald Society skirlled the bejesasus out of the massive crowd.

Mike Joyce, Ollie McGarry and Heavyweight Tommy Hayes (Leo '99) got the boxers ready and Coach Fitzgerald the Mount Carmel legend took care of ringside. NBC's Anna Davlantaes, The daily Southtown's Courtney Greve ( one of my favorite reporters on the job) and Fox News Patrick Elwood reported on the event.

The Boxers - boys and girls from Taylor Street, Evanston, Fuller Park, Armour Park, McGarry Gym, Leo High School, St. Rita, Mount Carmel, and points west put on a magnificent three round tutorial in heart. These kids, like Anny Hannus and Mike Giordano, and Joseph Owens, are tough guys. They will be out there doing good for others like the almost 5,000 who helped Cheryl Hurley, her baby, and her grieving family.

Tommy Kotel of Pipefitters Local 597 summed it up, 'this is what it's all about!' It should be.