By Jake Donovan
Sammy Valentin has spent the entirety of his young pro career in his home Tampa region. It’s only fitting that he was the first to get involved for a charitable cause serving his community.
The 22-year young welterweight prospect was among the featured athletes in the WBO Kids Drug Free movement that paid a visit to the Children’s Cancer Center on Saturday in Valentin’s hometown of Tampa, Florida. Valentin was joined by WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel and ratings chairman Luis Perez, along with members of promoter All-Star Boxing, including Ruben DeJesus and Felix Zabala III and his father/trainer Sammy Valentin, Sr.
The group collectively donated toys and money to the Center, along with its time.
“It was a pleasure to spend time with the kids at the center to give them faith and encouragement, as part of our mission in the WBO Kids Drug Free Global Program,” said Valcarcel. “Valentin is a local prospect and is a role model for his community.”
All-Star Boxing is a fixture in the Tampa area, regularly hosting Boxeo Telemundo telecasts live from the A La Carte Pavilion. Its next show at the venue will come October 7, the first U.S. date for the fall season of Boxeo Telemundo, which premieres one week prior (September 30) in Mexico City, Mexico.
Valentin will appear on the show, marking the 8th time in as any pro fights that he has played the Tampa/St. Petersburg region. His pro debut came at the A La Carte Pavilion, having also hosted his last four fights including a six-round decision over Greg Jackson in his most recent ring appearance this past June.
DONATIONS - For people from the boxing community wishing to make donations please go to: http://childrenscancercenter.org/donate/
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox