Valley Mayor Steps Back into the Ring

 

ANSONIA- Mayor David Cassetti, in preparation for the kick-off of his 3rd annual Pinky Silverberg youth boxing program, recently warmed up by jumping rope. Check out the mayor's moves by clicking on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/1543707149176288/videos/2139823332717644/

The "Young Gloves" program begins Sept. 6, and will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Ansonia Armory, 5 State St.

The program is open Valley boys and girls ages 6-13. The cost is $40 per student and all safety equipment, including new mouth guards, boxing gloves and protective head gear is provided.

Students are required to show up to class in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers. The program will culminate Nov. 3 with an official Connecticut Amateur Boxing event Nov. 3, with trophies awarded.

Cassetti began the popular club as a way to help build kids’ confidence. Last year’s club was a total knockout, drawing more than 90 kids to the ring.

 
During the program, kids will learn the fundamentals and train like a boxer, Cassetti said, while having fun and getting fit in a supervised environment. Kids will be grouped by age, and will participate in workouts that include sparring, speed bag, heavy bag, jump rope and various forms of aerobic exercise.  Cassetti said the club not only gets kids away from video games and off their phones, it teaches them confidence, coordination and skill, while developing discipline and work ethics.

For more information, call the Mayor’s office at 203-736-5900.

Boxing Show Nov. 11 at Ansonia Armory

Ansonia Unveils Sign Honoring Local Boxing Legend

Mayor David Cassetti, right, with Ron Silverberg, left

ANSONIA- Mayor Dave Cassetti’s longtime desire to publicly recognize Ansonia boxing legend Pinky Silverberg came to fruition on Thursday morning, June 1st, with the unveiling of a commemorative sign called Champion’s Corner on the site of Pinky’s former residence.

The sign is located at the corner of Main Street and Father Salemi Drive in Ansonia.

A National Boxing Association Flyweight champion in 1927, he registered his first significan...t win at the age of 23, in a 10 round decision fight held at the Ansonia Opera House on Main Street in 1925.

Silverberg had moved with several family members to Ansonia in 1920 from Bronx, NY seeking employment at the many factories throughout the Naugatuck Valley, and they settled at 517 Main Street for most of his adult life.

During the ceremony attended by several of Silverberg’s family including his son Ron, granddaughter, friends and city officials, Mayor Cassetti said, “Today marks a heartfelt desire of my own initiative to recognize a perhaps previously forgotten hometown sports hero.”

Silverberg lived in Ansonia until his passing in 1964. “Pinky’s legacy and history is a story I have followed since a young boy,” said Cassetti. “And it inspired me to pursue boxing and eventually becoming Middleweight Boxing Champion of Connecticut in both 1982 and 1983.”

Last fall, Mayor Cassetti launched his original Pinky Silverberg Valley Young Gloves program at the Ansonia Armory and will continue the program again this coming fall.

(This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall)

Mayor Cassetti’s “Young Gloves” Boxing Tournament a Knockout Success!

ANSONIA- On Friday, November 11, Mayor Cassetti led the Pinky Silverberg Boxing Show to an extremely successful evening of fundraising, demonstration of skills, and matches from renowned amateur boxers from the New England Area.

Roughly 550 people attended the event with 60 girls and boys participating in the tournament, and the event raised $6,000.

“I was thrilled with the success of this event,” said Mayor Cassetti.  “It was wonderful to see the Armory packed to capacity with residents of all ages.”

Cassetti plans for another boxing tournament featuring the Young Gloves to be held once again in November of next year.

The Pinky Silverberg Boxing Show first featured the Valley’s Young Gloves of children between 6 and 13 competing and showcasing their talents. Later in the night, the USA Boxing Amateur Fighters took the spotlight, as well as an official Connecticut Amateur Boxing Card.

The program’s title was to the Ansonia native Silverberg, who held both a flyweight boxing title in 1927 and is a member of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. Cassetti, a Middleweight Champion himself, ran the program with other directors to help children gain self-confidence, while having fun with the sport simultaneously.

Boxing had a positive and profound effect on Mayor Cassetti when he was a child, so he hopes to share the specialty of the sport with other children as well. The Young Gloves’ program strives to teach technique, discipline, and self-confidence in the boxers, and to engage more in physical activities and a healthier lifestyle. There were 22 bouts, or fights, during the event, which were split up into two 1 minute rounds.

This event would not have been possible without the generosity of the following sponsors: Ortiz Boxing Gym in Bridgeport, CT, Ronald and Susan Silverberg, Edo Construction, Country Disposal Services LLC, Webster Bank, McDonald’s, Teamsters Local 677, and Prime AE.

(This is a press release from the City of Ansonia)

Ansonia Mayor Cassetti's Youth Boxing Club a Real Knockout

ANSONIA - Mayor David Cassetti kicked off the first session of his youth boxing club, dubbed the Pinky Silverberg Youth Boxing Program, on Thursday, Sept. 1. The program, held at the Ansonia Armory drew about 30 boys and girls from around the Valley. Volunteer coaches, boxers and trainers showed the kids the ropes, teaching them how to spar, hit the heavy bag, tackle the speed bag and more. The club runs through early November. For more information call the Mayor's Office at (203)736-5900. (photos by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich)