Boxing Legend Visits Winchester [VIDEO]

The Winchester Field Development Council held a night of boxing matches at recently to help raise money for Phase 2 of the renovation project. The WFDC is trying to raise money in order to build a state-of-the-art track and field.

The event, which pitted seven pugilists from New England against those from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., was expected to bring in $40,000 to $50,000 to help according to Athletic Director Brian Carroll.

“We saw athletes competing on the [new football] synthetic field and the pride that they had,” Carroll said. “And that brought new life to the athletic program. A new track impacts the entire community. We would finally be able to host a home track meet, and that would be an awesome experience for the kids.”

It has been 12 years since Winchester hosted a track meet. Their previous one was deemed unsafe by the state.

“There are 200 kids that ran spring track last year,” Carroll said. “This is so needed. It would be such a lift to the kids.”

Helping to raise money was former World Boxing Union (WBU) champion, Lowell’s own Micky Ward, who was the subject of the 2010 film, “The Fighter.”

“The people here really care about this project,” Ward said. “It’s great to be able to give back.”

In November, Renovation Project.

The town put about $1 million toward Phase 1, which was completed in November 2009. The council had planned on completing Phase 2, which includes the construction of a state-of-the-art track and turf field, solely with private funds. However, it now believes it needs $200,000 from the town to help finish out its fundraising efforts.

Even with the requested town funds, the council still needs an additional $400,000 to complete Phase 2, about the same amount of money it has already raised for the second phase.

“Unfortunately the [track] has been neglected over the years,” said former Winchester State Representative, Sherman “Whip” Saltmarsh. “The town has done the best they can in helping us, and we appreciate the funds they allocated toward us to help us reach our goal.”