Rondeau's raises money for Knockout Wishes

When it comes to helping people in need, especially senior citizens, Christina Rondeau’s unique fundraisers have been nothing less than a smashing success.

Take Sunday’s benefit boxing card, an event that featured kids 7 and 8 years old putting on gloves that in some cases may have covered the top half of their bodies and stepping into the ring for the first time in their young lives.

There were also a number of women in the overflow gathering at Rondeau’s Kickboxing and Rhode Island Fitness Center Sunday where the highly-acclaimed Hall of Famer joined forces with Mike Orsini of Johnston-based Rhode Island Self Defense to raise a few bucks for Knockout Wishes as well as to develop self esteem and confidence in children and adults through boxing.

“We love to donate to anyone in the community that is in need,” Rondeau said while scooting from one corner to another in her jam-packed facility on Killingly Street welcoming proud parents of pre-teens who took part in 13 bouts featuring one and two rounds each with a one-minute break. “We were also blessed to team up with Mike (Orsini) and his members to create this awesome event.”

Rondeau also took the time to explain the different areas she teaches and those that have led to her becoming a renowned professional kickboxer and boxer that also led to her achieving the status of a 5th Degree Black Belt.

“Fighting in the ring is called sparring and that is optional,” Rondeau told a group of parents while instructing a group of young boys to put on their gloves. “Most people come here (to Rondeau’s Kickboxing) for fitness but a handful want to step into the ring and see how it feels to be a real fighter!”

Rondeau, who has three decades full of teaching expertise and experiences, added: “We make that happen for anyone who wants to have that experience. As I said, we are blessed to have Mike Orisini and his people here for this great event.”

Likewise, as both Rondeau and Orisini noted during the fun and action-packed fundraiser, “everyone had great sportsmanship and respect from all that participated and everyone left with giant smiles as well as a special sense of accomplishment and those always-cherished medals.”

Sunday’s event was also bolstered by Nick Figueroa, a Providence resident who has been a trainer for Rondeau’s Kickboxing through the years, who did an outstanding job as master of ceremonies and provided proud parents with his fun-filled delivery while the upstart youth boxers were actually in the make-shift ring.

While the next round of boxing is set for April 26 in a professional boxing ring and will be held outdoors, Sunday’s event was restricted to the indoors and but Becky Rhodes, Rondeau’s manager and trainer used long pieces of cloth she wrapped around four huge training bags and thus created the make-shift ring.

Rondeau also made sure Sunday’s event had a big-time boxing flare, as Emily Pearson – a Rondeau’s Kickboxing trainer – held and rang the bell during the youth boxing matches.