(October 13th) Olympic heavyweight gold medalist and former WBO heavyweight world champion “Merciless” Ray Mercer and former world champion “Irish” Micky Ward, whose remarkable career inspired the Academy Award-winning film The Fighter, will be ringside on Saturday, November 14, 2026, as cadets and midshipmen representing six of the nation's service academies and senior military colleges compete in the Inaugural NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic.

Proudly presented by USAA in association with Caracal Products & Services, the Veterans Week event will take place at the Léman Ballroom in Lower Manhattan, featuring 12 USA Boxing-sanctioned bouts between competitors representing Virginia Military Institute (VMI), West Point, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and The Citadel. The action will be broadcast live on pay-per-view, with net proceeds benefiting the participating schools' boxing programs. Mercer's appearance is presented by Parkhurst Dining, while Ward's appearance is presented by McCartney Stucky LLC.

A decorated Army veteran, Olympic gold medalist, and professional heavyweight world champion, Mercer embodies the powerful connection between military service and championship boxing. His extraordinary journey began in 1984 while serving as an Army infantryman stationed in West Germany, where he initially took up boxing to avoid participating in a 30-day field exercise. What began as an unexpected introduction to the sport quickly developed into a remarkable career built on military discipline, determination, and devastating punching power.

Representing the United States at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, Mercer delivered a dominant performance, knocking out all four opponents enroute to capturing the heavyweight gold medal. He was the only American boxer at those Games to win gold by stopping every opponent, establishing himself as one of the nation's most formidable amateur heavyweights.

Mercer subsequently transitioned to the professional ranks, capturing the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) heavyweight title before winning the WBO heavyweight world championship in 1991. Renowned for his exceptional durability, relentless pressure, and fearsome punching power, he competed against some of the most accomplished heavyweights of his generation, including Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, and Tommy Morrison.

His remarkable rise from Army soldier to Olympic champion and professional heavyweight titleholder reflects the core values celebrated by the NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic: service, sacrifice, discipline, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

“I was 23 when I first put on a pair of gloves, and I knew how serious it was, so I took it seriously, and I went for it,” Mercer said. “But I didn't do it alone. My fellow soldiers took up my slack, and the whole team got behind me. Without the military, I don't even know if I'd be talking to you right now.”

Joining Mercer ringside will be one of boxing's most beloved warriors, “Irish” Micky Ward, whose legendary toughness, perseverance, and fighting spirit made him an enduring symbol of courage and determination inside the ring.

A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Ward overcame numerous personal and professional setbacks to establish himself among boxing's most respected competitors. After stepping away from the sport in 1991 to work paving roads in his hometown, Ward returned to professional boxing three years later, determined to revive his career. His persistence paid off in 2000 when he captured the World Boxing Union (WBU) light-welterweight championship.

Ward later achieved international recognition through his unforgettable trilogy with Arturo Gatti, a series of extraordinary battles widely regarded among the greatest rivalries in boxing history. Their three encounters showcased remarkable courage, resilience, sportsmanship, and mutual respect, with the first and third contests earning The Ring magazine's Fight of the Year honors.

His inspirational journey from blue-collar beginnings and career setbacks to championship success became the subject of the acclaimed 2010 film The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg as Ward. The film introduced his extraordinary story to a worldwide audience and further cemented his reputation as a fighter whose determination extended far beyond the boxing ring.

More than a champion, Ward represents the discipline, perseverance, humility, and unwavering fighting spirit at the heart of the NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder to the next generation of military boxers that true greatness is measured not only by victories and championships, but also by the character, resilience, and sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the journey.

“I have uncles in the military and the Navy, so it hits home for me,” Ward said. “Boxing is a very disciplined sport, and these cadets are already disciplined from being in the service. Go in there, give it all you have, and leave everything out there.”

The participation of Mercer and Ward brings two distinctly inspiring boxing journeys together for an event dedicated to celebrating the enduring relationship between military service, competitive excellence, and personal character. While Mercer developed his championship skills through the United States Army before reaching Olympic and professional glory, Ward's remarkable comeback and legendary battles exemplify the determination and resilience required to overcome adversity.

Their presence will provide participating cadets and midshipmen with an opportunity to draw inspiration from two accomplished fighters whose careers demonstrate the lasting values of commitment, courage, teamwork, and perseverance.

“We are proud to feed the cadets on post at VMI every day, so we know how much responsibility they take on beyond the classroom,” said Mark Broadhurst, President and family owner of Parkhurst Dining. “Ray Mercer's story is about a soldier who found a team that had his back. We're proud to bring him to New York to stand behind these cadets and the programs that train them for excellence and honor.”

“We are trial lawyers so our work is preparing for the fight in front of us and seeing it through,” said Terry McCartney '86, one of the founding partners of McCartney Stucky. “I boxed at VMI from 1983-86 and that experience transformed me. While in the Marine Corps, I taught boxing to my Marines and I have been running a youth boxing program in Rye, NY for the past 21 years to pass on the incredible life lessons of the sport of boxing to the next generation. These cadets and midshipmen work hard in the gym every day on top of everything else their schools and services ask of them. Bringing the great Micky Ward to New York as an example of courage, discipline and toughness will inspire the boxers from these six excellent programs and was an easy decision for our firm.”

The Inaugural NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic promises an evening of competitive amateur boxing, military pride, and camaraderie, bringing together future military leaders, boxing enthusiasts, veterans, and supporters of the nation's service academies and senior military colleges. With two celebrated champions ringside, the event will honor both the rich traditions of military boxing and the enduring values that define excellence inside and outside the ring.

Inaugural NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Venue: Léman Ballroom, 41 Broad Street, New York, NY

Doors Open: 5:00 p.m.

First Bout: 7:00 p.m.

Fight Card: 12 USA Boxing-sanctioned bouts featuring VMI, West Point, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and The Citadel.

Tickets: General Admission — $200 | Preferred Seating — $300 - nycmilitaryboxing.com/tickets

Live Broadcast: Pay-per-view on Millions.co

Watch Live: millions.co/cmbc

About the NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic

The NYC Collegiate Military Boxing Classic is an annual nonprofit event celebrating boxing at the nation's service academies and senior military colleges. Its mission is to promote the sport's legacy and enduring tradition while fostering and supporting future military leaders. The Classic is held in partnership with the VMI Alumni Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

About the VMI Alumni Association

Founded in 1842, the day after Virginia Military Institute's first class graduated, the VMI Alumni Association keeps VMI graduates connected to one another and to the Institute. Working with volunteers around the world, it supports more than 90 alumni chapters through reunions, career support, admissions recruiting, and other programs, and upholds the values of honor and service that define the VMI experience. Together with the VMI Foundation and the VMI Keydet Club, it is one of the three VMI Alumni Agencies supporting the Institute, the Corps of Cadets, and VMI alumni.

About McCartney Stucky

McCartney Stucky LLC is a trial firm focused exclusively on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and complex product liability cases. Founded by trial attorneys Terry McCartney, a VMI graduate and former Marine Corps infantry officer, and Christopher Stucky, the firm has offices in Rye, New York, and Lenexa, Kansas.

About Parkhurst Dining

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Parkhurst Dining is a leading regional, family-owned and operated foodservice company with partners in ten states. Parkhurst creates chef-driven dining experiences tailored to the people and culture of each community it serves in colleges, universities, and corporate workplaces. Part of Eat'n Park Hospitality Group, recently recognized by Forbes among America's Most Trusted Companies and Best Companies, Parkhurst combines three decades of culinary excellence with a people-first approach to hospitality and partnership.