By Rich Mancuso
New York –Golden Boy Promotions made it known Thursday morning at a downtown hotel in Brooklyn New York, they are committed and serious about staging monthly boxing shows at the new Barkley’s Center. The multi-million dollar venue will debut boxing Saturday October 20th and three bouts will be televised live on Showtime.
Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy made the commitment last year to promote 12- shows at the news arena, home of the NBA Brooklyn Nets. Certainly it is a better deal, and more cost effective than promoting shows across the bridge in Manhattan at Madison Square Garden.
But will this new venture work as boxing in New York City has been dormant, with the exception of a few cards promoted by Lou DiBella and Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing?
“It will be historic in a new venue and New York has that history of good boxing,” commented De La Hoya. There is a good main event with undefeated Danny Garcia defending the WBC super lightweight title in a rematch with Erik Morales. The card also features hometown Brooklyn product, Paulie Malignaggi defending his WBA welterweight title against Pablo Cesar Cano.
De La Hoya also has booked New York fighters on the undercard, with Brooklyn roots including middleweight Daniel Jacobs, and former world title contender Dmitriy Salita. Another title fight has top rated WBO middleweight contender Peter Quilin of Manhattan opposing undefeated WBO champion Hassan N’Dam for the title.
Plus former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo, also from Brooklyn, is on the undercard and is seeking to retain his 17-bout undefeated streak fighting in New York. “There is no doubt this will be exciting and we look forward to becoming a regular part of New York boxing,” said De La Hoya who reportedly has a clause in the deal with the Barkley’s Center to bail out, assuming the venture is not successful.
And to be successful promoting boxing in New York, there certainly are obstacles. One of the setbacks for promoters is dealing with the excessive fees and taxes that are imposed by the New York State Athletic Commission, a reason why Top Rank and Bob Arum have almost ceased their business in New York.
When reached for comment about the Golden Boy agreement, a spokesperson for Top Rank said, “We are not looking at New York right now. Good luck to Golden Boy.” The main reason Top Rank has not returned to the “Mecca”, The Garden has been the commission fees and renting out the venue for an evening is too costly. Also, Top Rank no longer has Miguel Cotto who has that history of being a huge draw in New York City.
The inaugural show at the Barley’s center will in all probability sell out. New York talent on the card will help, plus the main event is enticing. Garcia is establishing himself as a new superstar in the sport after his fourth round knockout over Amir Khan on July 14th.
Morales, 52-8-36 KO’s is, marketable having been in the ring with wins over Manny Pacquiao, Junior Jones, and Marco Antonio
Barrera with four world titles in four weight classes.
It is not the Garden where they will trade fists, but to them New York City is a Mecca.
“I am excited,” said Garcia the Philadelphia Pennsylvania native who is expecting a huge contingent of his fans to make the drive up the New Jersey Turnpike. “You know about the history of Madison Square Garden and boxing and now me, and Morales will make history here,” he said about fighting in the new arena.
So you throw an elaborate press conference near the renowned Brooklyn Bridge, talk about the history, and showcase fighters from Brooklyn on Showtime along with De La Hoya in the spotlight. They were all there Thursday morning, and it should work.
But, will the momentum continue and will Madison Square Garden be forced to lower costs to offer competition? There is no word on what Garden officials are thinking, and they could not be reached for comment.
No matter if there is a profit or a loss, that being De La Hoya and the Barkley’s Center, at the moment boxing looks to be a constant in New York City and that can’t hurt the sport or their fans in New York City.
*Rich Mancuso is an award winning sports journalist who runs a weekly radio show called “Keep It In The Ring” every Thursday at 10:30PM-12:30AM Eastern and 7:30PM-9:30PM Pacific on Inthemixxradio.com
e-mail and comment: Ring786@aol.com
