PHILADELPHIA — David Kirst wants to bring professional boxing to Mansfield.
The owner and producer of Rominus James Productions is preparing to film his movie “A Mouthful of Knuckles” within the next six months.
But the plot continues beyond the screen: The company is the presenting sponsor of a live, pay-per-view event featuring the Celebrity Boxing Light Heavyweight World Championship in Philadelphia.
Kirst said one of the actors in the movie, David Kurzhal, is also a fighter. Kirst met the CEO of Official Celebrity Boxing Damon Feldman through Kurzhal, and had an idea.
“When David shared that with me, I said let’s collaborate on a show,” Kirst said. “Our director Sheldon Lettich and stars Zach Sheerer and David Kurzhal will be there also.”
The main event will take place Saturday, Sept. 28, with fighter Bob Kofroth going head-to-head with seven-time World Champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the World Light Heavyweight Title.
Feldman will introduce Kirst and tell the audience about his films. The matches will start at 7 p.m.
“I’m really excited because I can talk about Mansfield to the world,” Kirst said. “We’re looking to bring a show or two to Ohio in the next year.”
Feldman also has an interesting connection to Mansfield via former IBF light heavyweight champion Prince Charles Williams.
“When Damon was young, his father was a professional trainer and Prince Charles lived with them in Philadelphia,” Kirst said. “I thought it was so cool how Mansfield talent has connections everywhere.”
Saturday’s main event is hosted at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, and will also feature a handful of other matches:
- Josh Adams versus Joey DeMalavez for the United States Super Middleweight Championship
- Drew Mournet versus Kimbo Slice Jr. for the Unified Super Middleweight Title
- Will Stronghold versus Hank Lundy for the World Welterweight Championship
- James Gray versus Sherrod Dunlap for the United States Cruiserweight Championship
- Gypsy Vanner versus Simon Carr for the Americas Cruiserweight Championship
- Manny Strong versus Traquan Newson for the United States Welterweight Title
Feldman said he’s worked with a few movie stars in other Celebrity Boxing matches, but that it’s rare to have a preproduction movie as a presenting sponsor.
“I work with a decent number of celebrities and people in the movie business, but David is something different,” Feldman said.
“I can tell he’s genuinely driven to make this a great event. He’s pushing me to bring Celebrity Boxing to Mansfield, which I’d love to do in the next few years.”
Tickets for the Philadelphia event are online, or pay-per-view streaming is available for about $30. Merchandise like Mouthful of Knuckles boxing gloves, shirts, hats and hoodies will also be available at the show.
