Under the bright lights of Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino, Celebrity Boxing turned a sold-out fight night into an emotional rally for mental health awareness.
“Boxing is popular, so it brings a lot of eyes onto the situation,” said Feldman. “Most people, most Philadelphians, have mental health issues or know someone who does. Engaging in conversation can help kill the stigma.”
Co-hosted by wrestling legend Ric Flair and UFC icon Tyron Woodley, the main attraction was attended by dignitaries like boxing legend Michael Spinx and rapper Charli Baltimore.The fight card was stacked—seasoned pros, first timers, and social media influencers who challenged their online adversaries walked the halls outside the locker rooms nervously, preparing for battle in front of a sold-out crowd.
A community of fighters and friends
“These boxers aren’t just athletes showing up for a match and leaving when it’s done. We’re a family,” said Angela Cottone, a Celebrity Boxing veteran and contender in last year’s War at the Shore. “When someone is struggling, we use social media or phone calls to band together and help one another. The level of compassion that has grown organically between fighters is pretty amazing.”
Cottone’s motivation stems from the loss of her son, Vincent, a kind-hearted dreamer who died by suicide a few years ago. Cottone encourages anyone struggling with mental health to seek help, and as a single mother, she also pushes parents to keep open conversations with their children about mental wellness.
The first of ten fights at Harrah’s Casino – four of which were title fights for a championship – was between Raji Phares and Arsenio Castillo. Fighters boxed for three rounds in an exhibition-like bout; the one-minute rounds were filled with non-stop hits as contenders entered, under the ropes, one after another.
In between bouts, retired athletes and special guests shared personal challenges with mental illness, giving emotional testimonies from the center of the ring.
“Our fighters, including me, go through a lot mentally and physically,” Feldman said. “And that’s one of the reasons why we talk about mental health— to encourage everyone to get the help they need so they can become the best versions of themselves.”
He noted that boxing, teamwork, and community action all carry a therapeutic power—a philosophy he’s shaped over years of organizing cause-driven events, grounded in a genuine commitment to helping others.
A mother’s story
In a moment that left most of the crowd stunned, Feldman then brought up Anita Carrington, a woman who stood in the middle of the ring and shakily spoke about her eight-year-old son’s mental health since becoming a quadriplegic after a hit and run in Chester two months ago.
“My son may never walk again and that’s going to cause great mental stress for him and our family,” said Carrington. “Ny’Leek asks a lot of questions because he don’t really understand.”
Carrington shared that Ny’Leek is paralyzed from the neck down and will require constant care for the rest of his life. Although the hit-and-run driver was caught just days after the crash, Ny’Leek remains confined to a wheelchair.
“Damon let me go into the center of that boxing ring and talk about how hard it will be for my little boy to stay happy and mentally balanced in life,” Carrington told Metro. “I’m blessed to have been a part of this.”
Finding strength
Feldman knows something about the Carrington family’s struggle — his own mother was left a quadriplegic from domestic abuse when he was a child.
Feldman says that staying mentally healthy can be a choice, as his own mother remained positive after her horrifying ordeal.
“My mom used to paint with a paintbrush in her mouth and was very talented,” Feldman said. “Seeing her do that, how could I have ever acted depressed or angry around her? Mom was beating those demons, so we can too.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call 988 or visit healthymindsphilly.org
