Sacramento has always been known as a good boxing town.
But does it have a fan base large enough to support two cards held on consecutive nights?
Maybe.
First up is a six-bout card at Raley Field tonight that doesn’t have one fighter with name recognition or local connection. That is, unless you include a celebrity guest, former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. During Thursday’s downtown news conference and official weigh-ins, Frazier had to scratch his head when asked if he was familiar with any of the participants.
Even so, Matt LaRose, vice president of operations for the River Cats, perennial attendance leaders in minor-league baseball, is reporting ticket sales of more than 2,000 and creeping toward a goal of 3,000.
“Tickets were moving very slowly at first, but over the last week or so they took off,” said Patrick Ortiz, the Santa Rosa promoter hired to put on the show.
Meanwhile, over at Arco Arena, arrangements are being completed for Saturday night’s seven-bout card, featuring two world title fights plus three major celebrities from the sport — promoter Oscar De La Hoya, Philippines megastar Manny Pacquiao and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, a commentator for the HBO telecast.
Ticket sales generated so far for that show? In the 3,000 range, according to arena officials, with the expectation of at least 4,000.
“My reaction, comparing our show to what they have at Arco, we’re ecstatic,” LaRose said. “But, remember, when we first announced this show, it was never about (the caliber of) fighters as much as it was about the experience of holding outdoor fights, in a throwback setting, in a nice ballpark venue.
“We’ll see how it goes, but we can see the possibilities of having bigger fights. We’ve worked hard marketing this one with our loyal (baseball) fan base, and it’s really helped.
Ortiz, who also will promote a Raley card Oct. 6, had an opportunity to avoid bumping heads with Arco, seemingly a promoter’s nightmare.
“I had the (Saturday night) date first,” Ortiz said, “but when I heard Golden Boy Promotions wanted a card then, I told the (California) Athletic Commission I would move mine back. I saw no purpose in trying to interfere with them, and it’s turned out well, I think.
“I don’t know how many fans plan to go to both shows, but I believe there a lot of boxing fans here, some from out of town. It could be they came for the Arco fights but probably want something to do (tonight), too. Because we’re going first, maybe both shows can benefit.”
The big news from an earlier Arco news conference was De La Hoya announcing Pacquiao will be on hand as honorary captain of the Team Philippines vs. Team Mexico for the Boxing World Cup.
The competition between countries in six bouts is an added element to two World Boxing Organization title fights matching two champions from Mexico against challengers from the Philippines.
Daniel Ponce De Leon (31-1) will defend his junior-featherweight belt against fast-rising star Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (23-0), and Jhonny Gonzalez (34-5) will risk his bantamweight crown against ex-champion Gerry Penalosa (51-6-2).
The weigh-ins are set for 4 p.m. today at Arden Fair.
