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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Iron Boy CEO, Official Response & Title Shot By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Fri, 19 Sep 2014 Boxing Fans, When I started thinking about doing an interview with Roberto Vargas, CEO of Phoenix based Iron Boy Promotions; I realized I knew very little about his personal background. I scanned the internet for bio material and nothing. Asking some of his acquaintances didn?t surrender much either. As a matter of fact, I felt I know more about him than a number of acquaintances, do. For example, I know he owns a construction company and he loves boxing. His passion for the sport led him to launch Iron Boy Promotions in 2011.In addition to knowing the obvious, I knew he was a stickler for details and he is a man of few words, but everyone hanging around him knows Roberto is the man boss is capable handing out a pink slip. I talked to a couple of ex-employees who were less than complimentary when talking about the former California resident. Jealousy can breed contempt. Although he has a few enemies, most people who come in contact with the energetic businessman respect him for his work ethic and his loyalty to the sport of boxing and his loyalty to his signed stable of fighters. Iron Boy presented their first show in early 2012 (2/17) and the number of completed shows has reached XlV while XV is scheduled to be unveiled on Saturday, September 20 at the Theater in Phoenix. Undefeated Konstantin Ponomarev (24-0) takes on tough Cosme Rivera (37-18) in the main event replacing Heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr. who bowed out due to personal reasons. Trevor McCumby (16-0) is the co-main feature and popular Arizona favorite Alexis Santiago hopes to continue his winning ways in a special bout. For more info, click on the official website or listen to social media Facebook, a prominent tool used in the Iron Boy Medial Tool Box. The idea to interview Mr. Vargas was a spur of the moment decision and he politely agreed to accept my offer. I emailed him a set of questions and here is the result of our Q & A session without editing. Yes, he reads the column. ABNN: When you first started Iron Boy Promotions, it was my understanding that you had business partners?is that still true and are you the major owner and General Manager of Iron Boy Promotions? RV: Yes, I am the owner of Iron Boy Promotions, and responsible for all operations of the company. ABNN: could you explain your current relationship with Top Rank Boxing and would it be correct to assume that Iron Boy is the official Arizona Promoter for Iron Boy? RV: This is our second show with Top Rank. We are happy to be working with them, and hope to maintain the good relationship that we?ve been building. ABNN: Domestic Violence in sports is page one news. Would you ever employ a boxer convicted of such an offense or a boxer accused of abusing women on several occasions? Does your wife share your opinion? RV: As soon as I was made aware of that type of situation, I would no longer do business with that fighter. My wife feels the same way. ABNN: In addition to boxing, you own and operate a construction business. How do you find time to both and does the wearing of two hats conflict with your family time? RV: Any business owner has to balance work and family time. My family is very supportive, and we make time together. We are fortunate that Iron Boy doesn?t require as much time as it could because of the team behind dme. ABNN: As you approach your Iron Boy XV show at the Celebrity Theater on Saturday September 20, what is the most important lesson learned from your tenure as a promoter? RV: I would say the biggest lesson I?ve learned is that everything needs to be outlined in a formal contract or agreement. It isn?t smart in any business to do business on a handshake. ABNN: Ticket prices to your more recent shows have increased; does that rise reflect production and talent cost increases or inflation and are you worried about over pricing your product? RV: When Iron Boy Began, these were the ticket prices and remained so the first few shows. We decided to bring the prices down to support the boxing community. As we expanded, due to the level of quality of the show, it?s been necessary to readjust the pricing to a fair price. We are confident that attendees dare receiving a good value for their ticket price. ABNN: Until recently, Iron Boy seemed to rule the Arizona boxing Market, but BMBP (Ben Miranda Boxing Promotions) is penciled in for a show at the Phoenix Convention Center (Phoenix Fight Night) on September 26 and another potential competitor is thinking about entering the Arizona boxing Market in 2015. Does new blood possess a daunting challenge to your established entity? RV: We are focused on doing what we do best, and this is an open market. We do expect other promoters to come in, because we?ve done a great job growing the boxing market in Arizona. ABNN: Do you see major changes in your operation for 2015? RV: Obviously there are going to be changes to improve the quality of what we do. There are plans to expand into other markets. ABNN: Heavyweight Andy Ruiz Jr. was your Iron Boy XV headliner until his withdrawal for personal reasons. How difficult is it to put on a strong card given the risk of injury, purse considerations and personalities involved in completing the bout sheet? RV: It?s the nature of boxing. Thing change from day to day. Fortunately we have enough experience to put together a good card that offers fans a great night of boxing. ABNN: What are the Security and Insurance requirements to put on a boxing show in Arizona and has your organization suggested rule changes to the Arizona Boxing Commission Director Matthew Valenzuela? RV: We just abide by the standard commission rules in the state we are operating. We have no desired changes. ABNN: Is there a ?Dream? like fight you would like to produce if Iron Boy had the opportunity to do so? RV: We are going to continue developing our talent. In time, we will be able to put on high level fights using our own talent. I don?t have any particular ?Dream? fight I?d like to produce that doesn?t involve our fighters. ABNN: How many fighters does Iron Boy have under binding contracts and do you consider Francisco C de Vaca a future world champion for your team? RV: We have upwards of ten fighters under contract. Regarding ?Panchito?, time will tell. He is a talented kid with a good team, and we expect big things from him. ABNN: One last question?Are you enjoying your role as a promoter and good luck with your next show at the Celebrity Theater and thank you for your time. RV: Being a promoter isn?t easy. I didn?t realize I?d chosen the most difficult position in boxing, outside of being a fighter. There?s a lot of risk, and it?s hard to keep everyone happy. All in all, I enjoy what I do, despite the difficulties. Boxing News: Best birthday wishes to Five Time World Boxing Champion Michael Carbajal who dons the b-hat and celebrates his 47th birthday on Wednesday September 17. Good health and many more b-day celebrations, Sir Michael?..Jerry ?Schoolboy? Cheatham thinks Phoenix boxer Rollin Williams is fibbing about his age; not true! PHOENIX Fight Night bosses are asking boxers on the 9/26 card to sell floor seats at $40.00 while the Convention Center box office sells general admission bleacher seats at $28.00. Some fighters are ticked that they were unaware of the cheaper ducats at the PCC box-office. Fight Night announcer Ralph Velez predicts a sellout. The official Weigh-In will be held at Lo-Lo?s Chicken & Waffles (1220 Sol. Central Avenue in Phoenix) on Thursday September 25 at 3 PM; say hi to Maurice and the event is open to the public. For the record, Jose Espinal serves as Matchmaker for the show, not Danny Carbajal as rumored. Out of the ring: Former Arizona boxing commission board member Mary Rose Wilcox was defeated in her bid to succeed retiring US Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor (D). The 64 year old Wilcox lost in the Democratic Primary to 34 year old Arizona State Legislator Ruben Gallego who served as a US Marine in the Iraq war and graduated from Harvard University. Mr. Gallego will face token opposition independent Jose Penalosa and libertarian Joe Cobb in the November General election. Ms. Wilcox plans to continue fighting for immigration reform, a core issue in her Congressional District 7 campaign for Congress. Rev. Jarrett and Randy Camacho also vied for the position. Short Jabs: Carlos ?The Chosen One? Castro was unable to attend the ?media workout? for Iron Boy XV at the Iron Boy Gym on 9/16 due to work related issues; ditto Trevor McCumby who was unable to attend for unknown reason. Edgar Brito was also a no show?.The Arizona Super Committee (XMV1111) website is posting scheduled events surrounding the Super Bowl. Amateur and professional boxing might be a feature. There are whispers. Date for the Super Bowl is 2/1/2015 at the renamed stadium in Glendale. The NFL Experience event (for us poor fans) will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center; great fun for Autograph seekers and kids. 2015 will mark the third Super Bowl held in Arizona. More Media Workout Notes: I had a nice chat with boxing prospect Alexis Zazueta who is interviewing for a regular job to help his family. His dad is between construction jobs. Alexis will fight at 115 on the Iron Boy Card at the Celebrity Theater on Saturday, 9/20. Alexis (3-0) is one of the ?Dream Act? eligible kids who can?t wait until the immigration process is over. This column has always supported purpose of the Dream Act. Publicist Emily Pandelakis handled the MC Chores, at the workout, and did a nifty job while fighters at the relaxed event included Alexis Santiago, newcomer Daniel Garcia, Victor Castro and popular Joey ?The Boxer? Ruelas who?s recovering from Tonsil surgery and injured elbow. Joey hopes to back fighting in February. Undefeated Victor Castro was at the workout and the young pugilist told me he was happy to be on the Iron Boy XV card. I first met Castrol three-four years ago when he first started with Iron Boy; now he is back and more mature. Fox 10 Sports reporter Richard Saenz was there doing a social media piece and he told me he reads my column and I didn?t pay him anything to espouse those kind words. . Santiago won?t be defending his Bantamweight Title on Saturday. Daniel Garcia?s girlfriend attended and she, of course, is betting on Daniel. Ticket sales are brisk, better hurry over to the Celebrity box-office and purchase tickets. Expect future boxing superstar to be working one of dsthe corners. See you there, I hope. Red Carpet: Central Gym Manager Tom Garcia has a small cameo role in the independently produced film ?My Name is Nobody ? which was filmed at his gym and other select locations. I asked the affable boxing coach if his part wound up on the cutting floor, he laughed and said his one speaking line was in the final cut. Tom traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona and attended a Red Carpet screening of the film on the campus of Northern Arizona University on Sunday, September 14. Tom told me he was happy with his performance and the film. No word on release date. I was invited, at the last minute, but had to defer due to my taxing schedule. I sent my condolence and best wishes. According to Tom, a sequel is planned and his Central gym may be a film site, once again. Don?t worry; Tom won?t get the big head, not yet! Official Response: During the past month I received several emails inquiring about Arizona State Representative Catherine Miranda?s possible involvement in the Ben Miranda Boxing Promotion company which was started several months after her late husband?s tragic death from a massive heart attack. Representative Miranda is running for the Arizona Senate and I found it rather odd to find a campaign poster favoring her Democratic opponent Aaron Marquez inside Ben Miranda?s former Law Office on 15th Avenue in Phoenix at the same time, the office was hosting a press conference announcing the formation of the Ben Miranda Boxing Promotion Company. They say politics make for strange bedfellows! In an effort to address the situation, I sent an email to the Arizona Senate Candidate and here is her response to her level of involvement and support: ?Not involved?.Don?t support.?J R. Cardenas, PR representative for Phoenix Fight Night, was unavailable for comment. Title Shot: Arizona Seasonal resident (Janks Trotter) 8-1-1 gets his second crack at a professional boxing title when he takes on Steve Rolls (10-0) for the NCC 160 lb. Championship of Canada on Saturday October 25 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. The Calgary Alberta Native is confident that he will defeat Rolls (from Toronto Ontario) and a victory in the scheduled 8 rounder could lead to a rumored fight in Phoenix, Arizona around Super Bowl Time. Trotter has been ignored in the ring for several years, it?s time the 30 year old receives a little respect. Janks is managed by Fan Base Promotions. Main Event for the Mattamy Athletic Centre held fight (Toronto) is Canadian favorite Neven Pajakic Vs. Eric Martel-Bahoeli in a ten round title tussle for the Unified Heavyweight Championship of Canada. Adding the popular Trotter to the card should boost ticket sales. For the complete bout sheet and other relevant information, click on www.globalboxing.com... Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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