A new twist on charitable fund raising was created today with the announcement of Long Island's Fight for Charity, an unprecedented event that will combine an evening of corporate networking with live boxing. Among the seven scheduled bouts, three will feature several Long Island business leaders putting on their gloves and stepping into the ring, including Jeff Cohen, co-owner of the Weeping Willow catering facility in Farmingdale and creator/coordinator of the event. Cohen promises to have the fight of his life against a tough amateur boxer. The other four matches will be real amateur fights sanctioned by USA Boxing. Long Island's Fight for Charity will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Huntington.

"During my four months of training to represent the Arthritis Foundation in the Alaska Marathon, I was overwhelmed by the support we received from the Long Island community," said Cohen. "I was so inspired by this display of generosity that I decided to apply my boxing training and develop a fundraiser to benefit some of the great charities on Long Island. It's a great, fun-filled way to help others in need and I urge my fellow business colleagues to participate."

The card for the evening includes the main bout between Cohen and an amateur boxer, an undercard battle for blood’ between Jamie Austin of Austin Travel and Matt Silver of Ultimate Class Limousine, and the four ABC sanctioned bouts. In addition, Lisa Moschitta, director of web sales for Invision, has also agreed to fight against an as-yet-undetermined challenger. Moschitta, who participates in triathlons and took up boxing as a form of exercise about a year ago, is looking for a Úquot;real opponent in the ring, not a weakling!Úquot;

The evening will benefit six different Long Island charities:

· The Long Island Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation

· The Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America

· The Coalition on Child Abuse and Neglect

· Eye of the Tiger Boxing

· Long Island Community Chest

· National Foundation for Human Potential/Family Residences

"This event will also feature the opportunity for some very important networking so I am looking for a big turnout from Long Island's corporate community," Cohen added.

Sponsorship opportunities begin as low as $500. For information on sponsorships or to obtain tickets for the event, priced at $100 for the entire evening or $40 for the boxing matches only, contact event Co-Chairs Dawn Strain at 515-296-5084 or Nancy Cohen at 631-273-1300 ext. 3416 or e-mail boxing@lifightforcharity.com. Additional information about Long Island's Fight for Charity can also be found by visiting www.lifightforcharity.com.