‘Stitch’ Duran to help raise funds for Planada boxing gym

A benefit is coming Friday to Planada to help raise funds for a new after-school program that will prominently feature boxing training and other physical activities for community children.

The event is organized by the Merced County Sheriff’s Department’s Activities League with the help of several private sponsors donating funds.

Friday’s event at Caesar Chavez Middle School will feature an appearance from Planada hometown hero Jacob “Stitch” Duran, whose career as a cutman in boxing and the Ultimate Fighting Championship league has taken him around the world, Sgt. Buck Ledford said.

The dinner benefit, which will include either tri-tip or salmon, aims to raise money for the still-developing program. There will be a limited number of dinner tickets available at the door, but Ledford said there will be plenty of other food vendors selling items during the event.

Organizers hope to open the boxing gymnasium sometime next month.

“We’re almost there, but there’s still a lot that goes into opening something like this for the kids,” Ledford said. “We need funding for head gear and other safety equipment.”

The sheriff’s Activities League has opened similar gyms and programs in other Merced County communities.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 at Caesar Chavez Middle School, 161 Plainsburg Road in Planada.

This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 4:09 PM with the headline "‘Stitch’ Duran to help raise funds for Planada boxing gym."