2000s
Bengal Bouts: 2000-2010
The 2000 tournament marked the 70th year of the historic event. Boxing legend Mohammad Ali made a special guest appearance at the finals.
Tom Biolchini continued the tradition of successful Biolchini’s in the Bouts with his third straight championship. In 2001, Pete Ryan capped a brilliant career with his fourth decisive victory in an upper division.
The charity aspect flourished – $77,000 was presented to the Holy Cross Missions following the 2001 tournament, a remarkable figure in light of the impact it carries in Bangladesh.
In 2008 for the first time in Bengal Bouts history, five boxers traveled to Bangladesh to witness the work of the Holy Cross Missions. Together with a camera crew, they witnessed, among extreme poverty and corruption, a people of incredible hope. Their experience is captured in the independent film Strong Bodies Fight which was produced, written, and edited by 2008 President Mark Weber. Also in 2008, Bengal Bouter Kris Perez joined the select group of boxers to win four Championships in a row.
In 2009, 3-time Bengal Bouts Champion Mike Lee signed with Top Rank and began his professional boxing career with a unanimous decision in front of a hometown crowd at UIC Pavilion in Chicago. He continues to fight for the missions in Bangladesh that touched his heart when he visited in 2008.
In 2010, the program reached an all time fundraising high when the Captains and Managers handed over a check for $100,000 to the missions. This propelled the club past the million-dollar mark for all time contributions.