Former Olympian Raises Funds for Local Athletes

April 30, 2012 - PRLog -- Ari Taub, CEO of Hard Knocks Fighting and former Olympic Wrestler, knows the financial challenges for athletes wanting to compete around the globe. That's why Taub and his company Hard Knocks Fighting are working hard to support the growth of local sport and community organizations through their live MMA event shows. Up to this point, over $70,000 has been raised at Hard Knocks Fighting events and donated directly to local sport organizations and athletes, and funds are also directed to community organizations like the Lions Club.

At HK20: Medicine Hat on February 24, 2012 Hard Knocks Fighting auctioned off a VIP table to fight fans at the Cypress Centre. The VIP table went for $3,300 and the funds were donated to “Karate Kid” Katrina Peterson to help send her to the WOMAA World Martial Games in Teleford, England!

Christy Petersen, Katrina's Mother, says, "We are very avid UFC watchers; it's a little ironic that we gave up watching the fights in order to save money for her trip and the very same sport steps up out of nowhere and provides an extremely successful fundraiser and phenomenal fights!! It was an evening our family will never forget."

The VIP table auction was so successful that it started a trend and now an auction is organized during intermission at each show in all cities for different local charities and athletes. "I want to make sure that Hard Knocks continues to support the growth of local sport and the communities that we have our shows in so I make sure to incorporate it into all of our events" says Taub, CEO of Hard Knocks Fighting.

At their next event, which will be in Calgary at the Subway Soccer Centre two VIP tables will be auctioned off. One table will be auctioned off to raise money for Kid Sport Canada and the other will see funds going to support two wrestlers, Carol Huynh (2008 Olympic Champion) and Leah Callahan. Huynh and Callahan will be heading to the Olympics in London this summer.

Ari Taub and Hard Knocks representatives are available for interview by phone, in-person, or in writing.

For any media inquiries, please contact:
Amy Lafleche
TEL: 403.560.2928
amy@hardknocksfighting.com