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Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Bellator Praise, BMBP Questions & More By Don Smith PhilBoxing.com Sat, 11 Oct 2014 Boxing Fans, 24 hours before the scheduled Arizona Boxing/ Commission monthly meeting on October 6, 2014, I received a phone call from a concerned male boxing fan who asked if I was planning to attend the monthly meeting at 1110 West Washington Avenue in Phoenix and I told the intense sounding boxing patron that I was but I would be an hour late due to a previously scheduled appointment. He promised to be there and told me he would be dressed in black and he had a big story to tell me. He lied; later he would call my home and render his apology which I accepted: talk is cheap. When I arrived at the Commission headquarters, Commission Executive Director Matthew Valenzuela (nattily attired) was sitting at a table flanked by co-workers Norma Rivera and Ron Roman. After I walked in, I immediately realized that the three Commission operatives were joined by the three duly appointed commissioners (Chairman Michael Preston Green, Scott B. Fletcher and Joe Pennington) via telephone conference call. Perhaps 6-8 people (including myself) were present and seated in the comfortable audience section. The first order of business worth remembering was an open discussion about two separate events scheduled on 9/26 in Phoenix. One event received high praise while the other was a topic of concern, disappointment and admonishment. Chairman Green spoke glowingly of the Bellator MMA Show staged the same night at the Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. He praised every aspect of the show, attendance, competitive bouts, crowd behavior and overall professional management of the event. In conclusion, it was his hope that Bellator Promotions would continue to frequent Arizona and present tasteful successful shows comparable to the well-presented 9/26 MMA show at GCU. In contrast, he said a plethora reports coming to him from a variety of sources concerning the Ben Miranda Boxing Promotions produced show at the Phoenix Convention Center were disturbing. He cited poor attendance, an estimated 150-200 paid customers and underwhelming bouts that featured fighters with minimal skills. None of the commissioners were pleased that 5 of the six scheduled contests ended early; 4 were 1st round knockouts while the other KO loss was recorded in the second round. The Main Event (Rollin ?Chillin? Williams vs. Andrew ?Hurricane? went the distance with Hernandez winning a six round unanimous decision. Coincidentally, all of the winners fought out of the red corner and reside in Maricopa County, Arizona; wow! Mr. Green said the commission was disturbed by the lack of quality of the event and the chairman said he received several complaints from Arizona State Legislators who thought naming the boxing promotion company after the late Arizona State legislator Ben Miranda was in poor taste. It should also be mentioned that the majority of serious members of the local boxing media was absent from covering the event; an unfortunate miscue that ripped into their pocket book. This column contacted Ben Miranda?s widow (Catherine) and she categorically denied any involvement in the company and just as adamantly told our readers she didn?t support the business venture. Her statement was in a previously printed Arizona Boxing News & Notes Column. Mr. Miranda died several months ago from a heart attack. In addition to Mr. Green?s terse and candid remarks, fans freely criticized the vending service at the venue which resembled, according to one critic, a picnic setup instead of a standard concession stand. The complainant recalls seeing someone pass out drinks from a cooler on top of a table and he said the lines to the restroom were unruly and long. It wasn?t the auspicious start BMBP had hoped for and I was surprised BMBP didn?t send a representative to the monthly meeting; it could have been a didactic experience. In summation, Executive Director (Valenzuela) was admonished for not taking representatives of BMBP under his wing and explaining the expected show standards outlined in the commission?s mission statement and ethical behavioral code. An attentive Mr. Valenzuela promised the commissioners a more hands on approach to BMBP?s next show which is tentatively scheduled for November 22 and already the following local fighters are linked to the pre-Christmas show: Keenan Carbajal, Mario Esparza, Paul Romero, Walter M. Santibanes, Tim Riddell and Fernando Samaniego Jr. who couldn?t find a suitable opponent for the first BMBP show. All scheduled shows are subject to change. The event isn?t posted with the Arizona Boxing commission as yet, but rumors are suggesting their next show might be held at the Sheraton Downtown or The Arizona Events Center in Mesa. The commission frowns when a writer talks about a possible but not confirmed show; however, consumers want to decide how to spend their limited financial resources. Look at the choices: the Arizona State Fair (Copper Gloves) on October 15-16, concerts, Gene Simmons book signing, etc. I defend our editorial position of informing families of consumer choices and will continue to do so. It is my hope their second show respects the boxing community and meets the requirements mandated by the commission and Arizona Boxing fans; let?s get it on?a favorite phrase from the referee Mills Lane who celebrates his 78 birthday on November 12. Mr. Lane retired from boxing after refereeing the Thomas ?Hit Man? Hearn?s vs. Jay Snyder bout on November 6, 1998. He lives in Nevada where he continues to struggle from a debilitating stroke suffered years ago; our best to a colorful former judge who became a very successful and respected referee. The Next Monthly meeting will be held on November 15 in suite 260 at the Boxing/MMA Commission headquarters. One of the topics of discussion will be cost of blood and medical testing and how to reduce cost if possible. Go to website for info on licensing and other matters pertaining to MMA and boxing business and event scheduling. The public is encouraged to attend monthly meetings. I have sent Mr. Green several questions and his response should be in the next column. Mr. Green?s law practice expertise focuses on government relations . Boxing News: Iron Boy was very confident that their 10/10 show in El Paso would be successful. We will provide a recap in our next column?.Arizona seasonal resident Janks Trotter (8-1-1 w/ hit a snag on his way to a title fight with fellow middleweight Steve Rolls (10-0) in Toronto on October 25. According to Rolls manager (Todd Christie) Trotters management team and Rolls people disagreed about weigh-in procedures, so the bout was erased and Trotter picked up another foe for the 10/25 gig in Toronto. Christie said the paperwork was never signed and he isn?t sure why promoter Jim Gentle hints at taking the issue to the Canadian Boxing Commission. Rolls is still looking for an opponent while Janks has signed to fight Walid Smichet (21-7-3) in Toronto. How far this disagreement goes is anyone?s guess, but Mr. Christie did say his fighter wasn?t ducking Trotter and would be willing to fight the Irish Canadian if he gets past Smichet on October 25. More Boxing News: The 39 Annual Gene Lewis Invitational Tournament , billed as Arizona?s biggest and best Boxing Tournament, is ready to roll for three days (November 6, 7 and 8) at the Broadway Recreation Center located at 59 E. Broadway Road in Mesa Arizona. For complete details, call the Gym at 480-834-1216. Teams from 8 states will be represented??The Copper Gloves at the Arizona State Fair is a two day event scheduled for October 15-16 and on Wednesday (15th) fans of the fair and boxing can enter for free with 3 can goods before 6 p.m. and singer Darius Rucker takes the Arizona State Fair Coliseum concert stage for free with general admission ticket or donation of canned goods. If you want to sit real close; reserved seating at additional cost is available?. Please, check the USA Boxing Arizona website for all sanctioned amateur boxing events. Richard Soto and his volunteer crew do an excellent job? Phoenix welterweight favorite Jose Benavidez Jr. (21-0 w/ 15 knockouts) springs into action on December 13 in Las Vegas as part of the Timothy Bradley Card?.younger brother David Benavidez fights in Nogales, Mexico this month?.Blondie Promotions is about to start operations and begin signing fighters according to loose sources?..Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is passionately defending Manny Pacquiao against allegations that he owes back taxes to his native homeland, the Philippines. Arum claims it?s a case of bad math and greed. Floyd Mayweather Sr. is predicting a 2015 fight between superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao; seeing is believing.. ?our prayers are with local boxing trainer Tom Garcia as he cares for his ailing mother. Tom is the manager of Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix. ?.A pat on the back for those boxers participating in the October 12 Race for the Cure Race in Phoenix. ?this month is Hispanic Heritage Month and a special shout out to Hispanic boxers Alexis Zazueta, Francisco C. De Vaca and Ruth Diaz for being exemplary role models for their young peers?.. veteran warrior Raymundo Beltran tells friends he is ready for WBO Lightweight Champion Terence Crawford on November 29 in Omaha Nebraska?..Iron Boy 17 is set for November 15 at the Celebrity Theatre with Co-promoter Top Rank?.former Promoter Peter McKinn faces uphill battle in obtaining Arizona promoters license due to past transgressions?Until Next Time! Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.  |
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