REDLANDS men Denis Cherry and Graeme Prowse will exchange punches in a competitive fight but not for personal gain.
Instead, they will battle it out for something much more worthy – to help a boy get better use of his legs.
Sean Lynch was born with cerebral palsy. The seven-year-old hobbles along with the help of a walker but keyhole surgery to lengthen his tight leg muscles could change that.
About $70,000 is needed to send the Brisbane boy to the US for the operation, accompanied by his parents Liam and Ginny Lynch.
Mr Lynch said the procedure was recommended by Sean’s physiotherapist after the surgery’s success with her other patients.
While New Jersey orthopaedic surgeon Dr Roy Nuzzo has performed the operation for years, Mr Lynch said the muscle lengthening procedure was not offered in Australia.
He said the surgery cost about $20,000, with the same amount needed for three nights of hospital care.
The rest would go towards flights and three weeks of accommodation, inclusive of Sean’s recuperation to ensure he was well enough to fly home.
About $4000 has already been raised for Sean’s trip.
Mr Lynch said his family was astounded by the help offered from friends and strangers.
“It is fantastic we have interest from the wider community,” he said.
Sean was diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged one. His birth had been traumatic, with a stroke and heart attack causing brain damage.
Graeme Prowse, 63, said his own childhood memories had inspired him to raise money for Sean.
“I go back to when I was 10 and I feel bad for the young fella, as he can’t do what normal kids do,” he said.
Mr Prowse, a boxing veteran and former world masters champion, will take on Denis Cherry, a Thornlands man with just three fights to his name, on Saturday, April 7.
The two will exchange blows at the World Boxing Organisation’s Inter Continental Title at Brisbane Convention Centre from 7pm.
Dennis Hogan and Jimmy Kilrain Kelly are the night’s headline fighters but others, including Damien Hooper and Renold Quinlan are also featured.
Mr Cherry, 72, said he had boosted his training ahead of the match and hoped the crowd would be entertained.
He is selling tickets to the WBO night for $40 each, with $10 from each ticket sold to be donated to Sean’s cause.
Mr Cherry said he was approached to get involved in the charity match but did not expect to be paired against a boxer as good as Mr Prowse.
“We’ve sparred before but we want to put on a good show,” he said. “You’re not done (with life) at 60 or 70 years,” he said.
“All proceeds will from the bout will go to the very brave seven-year-old, Sean,” he said.
To buy a ticket to the WBO fight on April 7, contact Mr Cherry on 0414 780 885.
