An Ohio State graduate will advance the search for a cure for cancer tonight into unconventional terrority – the boxing ring.
Jim Chlovechok, 47, a doctor of sports medicine, will fight in a boxing match to benefit cancer research, as well as the opportunity to win a professional boxing title belt.
The 1987 graduate will take on Miguel Alvarez for the Midwest Boxing Association superflyweight title. The matchup will be the main event of “Fight for a Cure,” a nine match boxing event donates proceeds to the James Cancer Hospital and the American Cancer Society.
This isn’t the first time Chlovechok and Alvarez met toe-to-toe in the boxing ring. Chlovechok lost to Alverz once before by technical knockout.
Chlovechok began boxing as an undergraduate at Ohio University, eventually becoming president of the OU boxing club. He said that medical school drew him away from fighting.
After graduating from the OSU Medical School, he established a sports medicine practice in Cambridge, Ohio, and began working ringside physician working as a ringside physician at professional bouts.
Chlovechok’s proximity to the sport prompted him to get back into the ring. He began training to establish the stamina and strength necessary to last in the ring. Three years ago he turned professional.
Since his move to the professional ranks, Chlovechok has a record of 6-3. He is currently ranked second in West Virginia.
Chlovechok said he would not recommend any of his patients to begin fighting at his age. He said the only reason he is able to fight is because of his previous experience and physical fitness.
“I took my bad blows early,” Chlovechok said.
Being a sports medicine doctor – as well as his knowledge of how the body works – gives him an advantage in the ring, he said. He said that he agreed to be in this fight because it will benefit cancer research and that the fight will give him an opportunity to have a shot at a title belt in what will be his final match.
Richard Clement-Bey, owner of Phoenix Productions, began planning the show after surviving colon cancer in 2001. In January, the cancer came back, this time in his liver and lungs. The cancer is terminal and he has been given six months to live.
Clement-Bey said his goal was to sell 5,000 tickets, but did not know exactly how many have been sold.
Emily Caldwell, spokeswoman for the OSU Medical Center, said that the James Cancer Hospital will not have any involvement with the event.
More than 100 non-affiliated fund raising events similar to this take place each year, bringing in more than $100,000. Exact numbers could not be given since the events are not affiliated with the university, Caldwell said.
Though OSU does not solicit the help, Caldwell said it is still appreciated.
“It is nice that so many are willing to help,” Caldwell said.
“Fight for a Cure” starts at 7 tonight at The Hoop, 4185 E. 5th Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.
