The Alumni Gym has hosted many great events, but nothing compares to Mount Carmel’s Fight Night. It has been the biggest night at MC for the last 47 years and brings in alumni and students from all over Chicagoland.

This year, the program has a total of 28 fighters from all MC grade levels. These young men have been training themselves for the last few months for this one night.

There are a total of fourteen fights ranging from the super flyweight weight class at 115 pounds to the heavyweights at 250 pounds. 

“It’s all the work you have to put in for the fight,” said sophomore Dominic DeLuca, a second-year fighter. “If it works out well, it’s an amazing experience. I think everyone should be able to experience that once in life.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday for the last few months, the fighters have gathered in the Alumni Gym for practices. The group of guys are trained by Coach Rocco DeLuca and Jack Riffice (H).

The fighters are excited and a bit nervous for the crowd. The night is known for being one of the most memorable because of how packed the Alumni Gym is.

“It’s a really big experience,” said sophomore and second-year fighter Frank Burke. “You get nervous easily from the crowd, but it’s really fun.”

For Coach Riffice, Fight Night is one of the most important events for him. He has been involved with the event since the beginning.

“I like being here at MC with the kids,” he said. “The program is making boxers and building their characters. A lot of these kids never put on gloves before, and in a couple of years they’re winning fights.”

The fights look promising with many newcomers and returning fighters. The matchups are as follows:

115 lb weight class: Mateo Quinones ‘25 vs Kayden Trentz ‘27

115 lb weight class: Ryder Alderson ‘27 vs Wyatt Knight ‘27

125 lb weight class: Dominic DeLuca ‘26 vs Lukas Tsirtsis ‘24

135 lb weight class: Frank Burke ‘26 vs Ryan Jakob ‘26

150 lb weight class: Ryan McCormick ‘25 vs Herbert Moore ‘27

155 lb weight class: Luke Asselborn ‘24 vs Aiden Correa ‘25

165 lb weight class: Rick Riordan ‘26 vs Emmett Winters ‘25

175 lb weight class: Sean Murphy ‘26 vs Lucas Ellis ‘26

175 lb weight class: Ryan Gilhooly ‘24 vs Tim McInerney ‘25

180 lb weight class: Colin Kelly ‘25 vs Vince Winters ‘24

190 lb weight class: Matt Mucha ‘25 vs Leonard Siegal ‘25

230 lb weight class: Jeremy Ingram ‘27 vs Kenny Williams ‘26

230 lb weight class: Vincent Cronin ‘25 vs Dominic Rotto ‘25

250 lb weight class: Declan Gill ‘26 vs Tim Harkins ‘26

A total of thirteen newcomers will be fighting as well as four returning seniors.

For the last 47 years, the Caravan community has packed the Alumni Gym. So be there on Saturday, April 27th, doors at 6 pm. Tickets can be found online and purchased in the student center.

“The most exciting part is the crowd,” said Riffice. “They’re hanging from the rafters in the gym. It’s an overflow. It’s a night I think every kid that has fought remembers.”