Social media star Dr. Mike delivers $125,000 purse to Harlem club after boxing defeat

Dr. Mike was a knockout.

The social media star/celebrity boxer delivered a $125,000 gift Saturday to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, donating the purse from his losing ring debut last month in a four-round fight aired on Showtime.

“Unfortunately I took a beating,” said physician Mikhail Varshavski, who boasts millions of online followers. “My victory is being able to present $125,000 so you guys can have an incredible education and have fun.”

The organization’s CEO Sharon Joseph interrupted with a quick quip for the 30 students in attendance: “After you do your homework.”

The gift, presented with an oversized check bearing the words “Great Futures,” will help fund more equipment for the club’s media room and its STEM room for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program serves close to 1,500 city students from a half-dozen schools.

“We’re excited and we’re very grateful for Dr. Mike’s donation,” said Joseph. “It’s going to allow us to continue to expand our after-school program, expand our STEM program, and help us to get more tutors for a math program … He’s made an amazing contribution that’s really going to help us.”

The well-known doctor’s appearance in his scrubs left some of the students a bit giddy, including sisters Jalina, 11, and 9-year-old Jaylin Bryant.

“I feel like I know you off YouTube!” said a laughing Jaylin. “You can be my new doctor!”

The Bronx siblings started coming to the club about three years ago, and their mother Janine sang the praises of the programs available.

“They have a lot of help with their homework, encouragement and making them feel good about themselves,” said Bryant, a 36-year-old nurse. “It taps into their artistic sides.”

Student Nicholas Bellingy, 17, of the Bronx, told Dr. Mike he actually watched the fight and came away impressed.

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“You were a better boxer than I thought you were going to be,” he said.

Bellingy said his time with the club has helped him toward the next step in his education, offering help with SAT prep while improving his life skills.

“It makes kids more social and be friends,” he said. “They help us with our college applications and have helped me with my college essay.”

Varshavski, an immigrant who arrived in the U.S. at age six, said his choice of the organization was easy based on the group’s accomplishments.

“I love the work that goes on here,” he explained. “The Boys and Girls Club was a no-brainer, especially here in Harlem.”

The 33-year-old Dr. Mike told the students his pay-per-view defeat against fighter Chris Avila last month was an learning experience for him — and now for them.

“I did not win,” he acknowledged. “But I think it’s an important lesson that even if things don’t go your way, it’s about living to the top of your potential.”