SAN ANTONIO ? I always thought Dan Goossen was a good salesman, the kind of guy who could sell ice cubes to Eskimos.
At least he’d try.
More often than not, he was successful, too. But even more than that, Goossen was a good guy. Well liked and respected.
That’s why it was a sad day Monday when news of the boxing promoter’s death circulated.
It was a surprise, too. Most of us didn’t even know he was sick. He didn’t want people to know.
Goossen, 64, died after a brief battle with liver cancer, the family announced.
?The sudden news of his diagnosis was very much a private matter, and his final days were spent surrounded by his family and closest friends,? a statement from the family read in part.
?Sadness is difficult to escape as we grieve his passing. However, we are filled with pride by the fact that Dan battled his aggressive illness with boundless strength and the last few days of his life were fought and lived with unflinching bravery, pure love and grace beyond measure.?
Goossen, who died just days shy of his 65th birthday, did not learn of his illness until Labor Day. He reportedly had surgery a few days later at a Los Angeles-area hospital, where he remained until his death.
He promoted many major fights and fighters during the past quarter century, including Michael Nunn, James Toney, Terry Norris, Hector Camacho Jr., David Reid, Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas, Chris Arreola, David Tua, Joel Casamayor, Paul Williams, Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Andre Ward.
That’s a who’s who of boxing, and Goossen became one of the top promoters in the sport. Second-tier, perhaps, below Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya, but a good one nonetheless.
His original promotional company ? Ten Goose Boxing ? was named in honor of his nine brothers and sisters, 10 children in all.
It gave way to now-defunct America Presents, then his Sherman Oaks, California-based Goossen Tutor Promotions (recently renamed Goossen Promotions).
He was a clever guy, not afraid to think outside the box. He led Tua to the brink of the heavyweight title and came up with the ?Tuaman? persona for Tua, pitching him as a Samoan warrior.
Goossen is well-remembered in Texas.
?He was a tough negotiator, but a good guy,? Fort Worth regional promoter Lester Bedford said.
Colorful and gregarious, Goossen worked for several years under Arum at Top Rank. He was popular with the media because he was easily accessible, candid and fun.
But America Presents lost millions, forcing CEO Matt Tinley to fire Goossen in 2001. Tinley had used the money of his late uncle, Denver cable TV pioneer Bill Daniels in the company.
?He was a flamboyant guy,? Bedford recalled. ?He flew first class, stayed at the finest hotels.?
Bedford called Goossen ?the hardest-working promoter in the business,? but said he was no businessman.
He said a rival promoter once told him that Goossen ?was the best he ever saw at spending other people’s money.?
Goossen also promoted San Antonio’s ?Jesse? James Leija. Bedford and attorney Michael Miller eventually sued Goossen over a six-figure sum owed to Leija. Leija won the lawsuit, but Miller said they all remained friends.
?It was hard not to like Dan Goossen,? Miller said.
