National boxing champ from Bridgeport mentors young people in memory of murdered brother during Hispanic Heritage Month

Kevan Bonilla, 20, was shot to death in New Haven in July 2021.

Frank Recchia

Oct 12, 2024, 2:14 AM

Updated 26 days ago

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When Oscar Bonilla, of Bridgeport, won the U.S. Boxing Federation's national championship last year in the 140-pound weight class, he vowed to use his platform as a professional boxer to help save young lives. "Today, I'm keeping that promise -- and I'm doing it in memory of my baby brother," Bonilla told News 12 Connecticut's Frank Recchia Friday. Kevan Bonilla, 20, was shot to death in New Haven in July 2021. "My brother was also a boxer, and by mentoring young people and helping them stay in school and off the street -- in Kevan's memory -- I'm fighting to keep kids alive," Bonilla said. "It feels good during Hispanic Heritage Month to be making this kind of meaningful change on the streets of Bridgeport - creating something that will shine on in memory of my brother, through the next generation of young fighters, both in and out of the ring," Bonilla said.