ABC launches charitable fund to benefit retired combat sports athletes

The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) wants to give back to the fighters who have given their blood, sweat and tears in the ring or the cage.

The body, which informally oversees commissions in the United States and Canada, announced the launch of a charitable fund benefiting retired combat sports participants last weekend at the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canastota, N.Y.

Those wishing to apply for a gift from the fund can do so on the ABC website. The first donations will be given next month at the annual ABC conference, which starts July 22 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

“The fund is a step forward for the ABC,” Mazzulli told MMA Fighting. “Without the fighters, we would all not be in business. Each fighter risks their lives to entertain the public and it is about time we give back to them.”

The ABC charitable fund board is made up of seven members: ABC president and Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation director Mike Mazzulli, Joe Walsh of the Iowa Athletic Commission, Oneida Indian Nation Athletic Commission executive director Daniel Gustafson, ABC treasurer Lydia Robertson, legendary referee John McCarthy, longtime New Jersey boxing judge Steve Weisfeld and a position yet to be filled.