TULSA, Okla. — Celebrities touched down in Tulsa for a boxing event at Grand Lake on Memorial Day weekend.
Celebrity Boxing Comic Con kicks off Friday and some Hollywood names square off against each other.
Some of the participants stopped by Brookside and spoke with 2 News.
“You know, I’m excited. I—I can’t contain myself!" said actor and producer Johnny Venokur. "I’m so happy. It’s a celebrity-run situation," he added. "We have really brought Hollywood into Oklahoma.”
While the stars duke it out in the ring, there will be a silent auction benefiting the nonprofit Heart of a Lion.
Venokur will be the ringmaster, a new experience for him.
He told us the nonprofit's cause—helping veterans, first responders, and children—hits close to home: his native Long Island, NY.
"This is a near and dear," he said. "You know, I was over in New York City during 9/11. So, that means a lot to me.”
Tommy Parker and his fiance, Tami Erin, put the event together.
Erin is known for starring in the 1988 film "The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking" as the titular character. After meeting Parker during the pandemic, they settled down in Green Country.
Highlighting Heart of a Lion, she told us, “I am super happy about that. I’ve done a ton of charity since I became the youngest U.N. ambassador for UNICEF when I was 14."
"I love to bring charities into anything that I do with Hollywood,” Erin added.
A long list of celebrities who will host, fight, or offer some ring-side commentary.
The stars slated to be there including:
- Andy Dick
- Dr. Hasaan Rasheed
- Damon Gillespie
- Patrick Kilpatrick
2 News caught up with Rasheed, who is best known for his roles in films such as "Black Panther" (2018) and "Friday Night Lights" (2004).
“I’ve never done boxing. This should be my first time ever in the ring in life,” the actor said.
This is not Rasheed's first time in Green Country, however. He visited Tulsa on a number of occasions, saying the city became another home for him.
“I like them vibing around here. I like the energy," he mentioned. "It always draws me back here in some shape, form, or fashion. So, this [event] is a good look for it.”
This weekend, in addition to the boxing, food vendors, and live music, fans will also have the chance to meet the stars at Grand Lake.
To book tickets for the boxing and see more details, click here.
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