When Hall of Fame boxing promoter Robert “Bobby” DePhilippis died four years ago, his daughter, Michelle DePhilippis, decided to honor his life and work by creating Punches in the Piazza, an annual amateur boxing event in Little Italy.
But this year’s gathering will also have a new and special component – a tribute to first responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. That’s because this year’s event takes place on Sept. 11, which is both the day the World Trade Center in New York City fell and the day that Bobby DePhilippis died in 2022 at age 72.
And with this year’s event taking place on the actual Sept. 11, Michelle DePhilippis decided to treat it as a tribute and fundraiser for two separate causes.
“This year is especially special because it’s the fourth anniversary of my father’s passing and it is also the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” she said. “And so, we’re going to continue with our boxing showcase, but I thought it was a great opportunity to honor first responders and the families that make the sacrifice.”
“This is the first year we’re doing the 9/11 tribute. It’s going to be exciting,” she said. “We’re going to have some first responders actually boxing, as well as amateur fighters. And we’re going to do a tribute to 9/11. It should be a wonderful time.”
Michelle DePhilippis, who had no experience in event promotion before her father’s death, said she came up with the idea of raising money for a 9/11-related cause once the event’s date was settled.
‘We typically give money to Washington Elementary School Foundation, which is right in Little Italy. They’re one of the oldest schools in San Diego, and about 80% of their students live below the poverty line,” she said. “So that’s what we’ve been giving our donations to for the last three years.”
But with this year’s event falling on 9/11, Michelle said she did some research on Sept. 11-related causes to donate to and settled on one whose mission is compatible with what her event has done.
So, this year, in addition to Washington Elementary, proceeds will also be donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which, since 9/11, has helped provide mortgage-free homes to families of fallen first responders and families of fallen members of the U.S. military that have young children.
The organization also builds specially adapted smart homes for severely injured veterans and first responders, plus offers children within the immediate families full scholarships for undergraduate degrees and accredited trade school programs.
Half the proceeds from the event will go to the Washington Elementary Foundation and the other 50% to Tunnel to Towers, she said.
As far as the event itself, the event’s expected to feature USA Boxing-sanctioned three-round amateur bouts, special tributes, a silent auction, raffle and more. Michelle said that if her father could see the events that she’s put together in his honor annually over the past four years, he’d likely be proud.
“I think he’d be surprised that I that I’m doing this. I’m surprised I’m doing this. But I think he would love it; you know, in Little Italy, it’s just such a great venue. It’s really unique, and it has a vibe when you’re there,” she said.
“And I think he’d be smiling and (would) be happy, and (would) like the attention he’s getting, a little bit,” she added.
“I’ve never had any experience with promotions; I just threw myself in there, and because he’s such a great person and made so many great connections, there were so many people that respect him that wanted to be a part of it and help out,” she remarked. “So, it’s really come together quite nicely.”
