A few notes from around the boxing world:
Former HBO Sports president Ken Hershman, whose duties included responsibility for the network?s boxing franchise during his tenure, which ran from January 2012 until the end of 2015, has a new gig far removed from boxing. Hershman, who ran Showtime Sports, including its boxing franchise before moving to HBO, on Wednesday was named executive chairman and commissioner of the World Esports Association, a competitive video gaming organization. Hershman was also named CEO of the WESA Agency, the media arm of the organization, which has offices in New York (Hershman?s home) and Switzerland. WESA was founded in May 2016 by eight of the world’s most popular esports teams and ESL, the world’s largest esports company.
?Esports isn’t just the future — it’s the present,? Hershman said. ?I’m excited about the challenge and confident my experience can help benefit everyone involved in WESA, including players, teams and leagues, as we work to build bridges and balance collective benefits.?
Light heavyweight Mike Lee (17-0, 10 KOs), the Notre Dame graduate also known for his many appearances in Subway sandwich shop commercials, will face Boston?s Chris Traietti (21-3, 17 KOs) on Sept. 30 at the UIC Forum in Chicago, Lee?s hometown, in the main event of a CBS Sports Net-televised card (9 p.m. ET).
“This is an excellent opportunity to fight in my hometown in the biggest fight of my career and I can’t wait to put on a great show,? Lee said.
Said Traietti: ?I?m excited about facing Lee in Chicago. I?ve been wanting to fight him for a couple years now. I can?t wait to get to Chicago and battle. The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds but I don?t think it?s going the distance and I plan on being victorious.?
Miguel Cotto Promotions announced the signing of two fighters, amateur standout Joshuanthony ?Kiko? Ortiz, Puerto Rico?s former 123-pound national champion who was 185-15 in the unpaid ranks, and featherweight Edgardo Laboy (10-0, 7 KOs). Ortiz?s pro debut is scheduled for Sept. 10 in Comerio, Puerto Rico, and Laboy?s next fight will take place Nov. 12 in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. ?We want to have the best talent in Puerto Rico,? Miguel Cotto Promotions vice president Hector Soto said. ?Joshuanthony is a former national champion and Laboy is a great undefeated prospect. We will work to develop them and make them stars.?
