Boxing champ’s key to life: “Just keep going”

Mr. Mark Antonietti, one of the winners of the Father-Son Dinner raffle.

Mr. Mark Antonietti, one of the winners of the Father-Son Dinner raffle.

In the midst of his presentation to Mount Carmel students and their dads, former professional boxer and lightweight champion David Díaz offered the wisdom that, “Life is always going to be a fight, but no matter what, you have to keep going.”

The Mount Carmel Fathers Club hosted its annual Father-Son dinner on Tuesday night, October 20. This year’s speaker was very open about his career, recalling how when he fought Manny Pacquiao that, “It wasn’t a fair fight,” since Pacquiao was “way too quick” for him.

Díaz also emphasized what was most important to him: family. He recalled how his own father always was pushing him to go the gym and was present cheering him on at his fights.  He acknowledged that he “wouldn’t be the man he was today if it wasn’t for his wife and his parents.”

As Díaz spoke, the audience enjoyed a dinner of chicken parmesan, spaghetti, salad and a wide variety of deserts, all prepared by alumni fathers.

The Fathers Club also raffled off two Mount Carmel Gala tickets, which were won by faculty member Mr. Mark Antonietti and Andy Dimas, father of Nick Dimas ’17. A Split The Pot raffle came next, which raised a total of $900 dollars.  The Fathers’ club portion was donated to the Czubak Family.

Then the sign up for Fight Night began with the coaches talking about the training requirements and all of the work that goes in for your fight. Fight Night will take place on April 30th at 6:00 pm.