By Stephen ‘Darkness’ Johnson

The NAIOP 2015 ‘Fight Night’ fundraiser, held at the luxurious Infinity Park Event Center, 4400 E. Kentucky Avenue in Glendale, Colorado, was once again a huge success thanks to the superb efforts of NAIOP Colorado Executive Director Kathie Barstnar and her staff that includes Jayma File (Event Coordinator), Jacey File (Event Assistant) and Stephanie Barajas (Administrative Assistant). The beneficiary of this year’s fundraising effort was Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation.

The evening began with complimentary cocktails and beverages throughout the evening at 4 bars in the ballroom courtesy of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP and Stewart Title, a Cigar Bar (sponsored by Powers Brown Architecture) that included a monitor for boxing viewing and a commemorative photo of your group courtesy of Stifel Financial Company.

The delicious dinner menu consisted of a variety of options: Passed Hors d’ Oeuvres of Ahi Tuna Tartare, Roasted Tenderbelly Hog Blankets, New York Strip Steak Bites and Artichoke Tomato Parmesan Wonton. Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese Salad with Brioche Dinner Rolls. New York Strip Steak, Seared Scallops with Spinach and Apple Brandy Cream Sauce served with Char-grilled Brocollini and Oven Roasted Red Potatoes. Vegetarian and Gluten free alternatives were available upon request.

The job done by emcee Al Charron, who was both enthusiastic and engaging, deserves recognition as he continually relayed the importance of raising funds for the Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation throughout the entire evening. The Charron effort definitely contributed to the highest amount of dollars raised in the 3 years of this event.

The entertainment portion of the fundraiser was organized by Jim ‘Smitty’ Smith (Poor Boys Boxing) and those in attendance were not disappointed. The action was hot and heavy, with 5 quality bouts ranging from flyweight to cruiserweight giving the fans a look at some small as well as large competitors.

The Colorado Boxing Commission was represented by Dr. Matt Morgan (Ringside Physician), Eric Heinz (Chief Inspector), Stephen Blea, Tom Johnson and Curtis Thrasher (Referees), Tyrone Short and Rob Mullings (Judges), Tim Mills and James Najera (Inspectors), Julian Clay (Tally Judge) and Lee Peters (Timekeeper).

Fight results: (lightweight) Gregorio Perez-Herrera over Latrice Wray, TKO-2. (cruiserweight) Donald Cobb over Mike Matthews, TKO-2. (female flyweight) Alma Garcia over Lynae Lovato, UD (39-37 all 3 judges). (light heavyweight) Shane Moore over Katrell (Harold) Straus, UD (40-35 all 3 judges) and in the main event (light middleweight) Daniel Calzada over Julio Lanza in a spirited contest where Calzada got the split decision win (59-55 Calzada twice (Mullings and Blea) with Short seeing Lanza 58-56. 2015 NAIOP ‘Fight Night’ Co-Chairman, Ian Nichols (Gart Properties, LLC and Raffle Sales Coordinator (Denver Active 20-30) Grant Langham, presented Calzada with his 2015 ‘Fight Night’ belt.

The announcement by Ian Nichols of this event now considered an ‘Annual Event’ is good news to not only Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation, but the fundraising efforts of any group looking to help better the lives of our children in the Colorado community.