Let’s call this incredible blunder exactly what it is, a black eye for so called higher education. Just an hour before a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Sun Bowl at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP), promoter Bob Arum was notified that the Austin-based UT Board Of Regents had decided to withdraw the welcome mat for his big June 16 Andy Lee-Julio Cesat Chavez Jr. fight card. Officials cited “security concerns” as to the crowd attending the show featuring the son of all-time Mexican ring great Julio Cesar Chavez and Emanuel Steward handled and lefthanded Irish puncher Lee. This stupid decision–run for the border, here comes boxing fans–really irritated Top Rank Bossman Bob and rightly so. “I’m not Al Queda,” an exasperated Arum said. “I mean, I’m Jewish.” Arum told USA Today that UTEP president Diana Natalicio was also chargined by the decision made in the Texas state capital. Arum said the show will go on in the Lone Star State on June 16 with the Toyota Center in Houston and the Alamodome in San Antonio as the top alternative sites.
?I strongly oppose the decision by the UT System to cancel this fight, especially without consulting local officials regarding any potential threat. This is just one more example of what happens when our state leaders disregard the facts by falsely calling border communities ?war zones? without any evidence to support their claims.
“Decisions such as these hurt our local economy and tarnish the image of border communities. El Paso is not only one of the safest communities in Texas, it is one of the safest in the nation.
?There have been several events such as this in El Paso ? including a boxing match at UTEP last weekend ? with no incidents. The decision to cancel this fight due to the fears of border violence only reinforces to the negative perception of El Paso and will have a lasting impact on the community for years to come.
?If decisions are going to be made without solid evidence of actual threats of violence at events such as this, then border communities from El Paso to Brownsville will be irreparably harmed.?
It’s ironic to note that Top Rank rival Golden Boy held a fight show in the border city which is across from violence ridden Juarez this past Saturday. No terrorist incidents or riots occurred. Sarcasm intended, folks.
