Two Female Bouts Headline Marconi Charity Event- By David Avila

(MAR 10, 2005) Kristy “Rose” Follmar [Inset photo] meets Lisa “Lil Warrior” Lewis in an eight-round junior lightweight match in Tustin on Saturday.  Follmar and Lewis headline the 7th annual charity fight card sponsored by Marconi Foundation for Kids at the famous Marconi Auto Museum home to dozens of the most exotic cars in the world. The first fight card begins at 6 p.m.

The foundation hopes to raise more than $250,000 that will go toward at-risk programs for children in both Orange County and Los Angeles County.

“It’s our big event of the year,” said Dan Marconi, chief Operations officer for the foundation. “A couple of years ago we had Arnold Schwarzenegger come down.”

The price for the lowest ticket is $300. But for fight fans accustomed to attending Las Vegas boxing shows it’s in the same price range. And in this instance, fans will get an opportunity to see more than $30 million worth of exotic cars.

“We know its pricey but it’s for charity,” Marconi said, adding that Playmate of the Year Colleen Shannon will be attending along with Seattle Seahawk quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. “It’s all about the kids and it’s a great way to have fun at a charity event.”

Follmar (15-1, 9 KOs), a native Muncie, Indiana, faces California’s rough and tough Lewis (7-10, 3 KOs). Despite the record disparity, Lewis has fought the superior competition and could upset.

Also on the fight card will be Shelby Walker (6-4-1, 5 KOs) another Indiana prizefighter meeting Maria Elena Bautista Anderson who was supposed to fight on the card last year.

“Her opponent dropped out last year because of medical problems,” said Marconi, whose family is also associated with Herbalife. “We brought her back this year because we felt bad for her. She really wanted to fight.”

Along with the two female bouts, will be two Muy Thai kickboxing matches and two male prizefighting bouts. Brazil’s Edilson Dos Santos is scheduled to fight in a middleweight bout.

“We’re going to have an auction and a silent auction,” said Marconi. “It’s all fun and it goes to those at-risk children that really need help.”

The Marconi Museum is located at 1302 Industrial Drive in Tustin, California 92780. For ticket information call (714) 247-2192. Tickets range from $300 to $1,000 and dinner is also included.