"And that’s what we really wanted to do. We started it here and the idea was- and still is- export the concept into other markets, where there is a similar need."
They started this series last June during a trial run that ended in October.
"I think it went very well," said Schaefer, who says that they are committed to ten dates this year at the venue, "We kept on building the fan base; we had pretty good turnouts. It was an exciting atmosphere and so it was really embraced. We got great feedback, people writing us emails and letters and so on, really looking forward to the next one. So we want to build on that momentum we created as we re-launch the second season of ‘Fight Night Club’ and make it as successful as the first one was."
This facility fits right alongside the concept of not just building young boxers, but luring in a younger, hipper demographic. The Club Nokia, is just that, a night club, with a theater stage (where the ring is set up) and a standing room area, a fully equipped bar and balcony seating. The fights are generally four and six rounds, with an emphasis on keeping a quick, lively tempo to the proceedings. Schaefer says of shorter fights, "We really want to keep it to four and six rounds with in-between music with the DJs, dance floor, the night-club kind of atmosphere and, we hope, once the fights are over, really turn the ‘Fight Night Club’ into a night club.
"For that, we are going to be talking to some of the local night club promoters here in Los Angeles to sort of take over the club afterwards and make it like a fine night club," Schaefer added.
Ultimately, the success of this series will hinge on the ability of Golden Boy to cultivate their young prospects. This series really isn’t about the Ortizes of the world (who- Victor, in specific- is really just using this date as an opportunity to get in a few rounds before his scheduled date on HBO in May versus Nate Campbell); it’s about the kids who are hoping to reach that plateau.
Schaefer agrees, saying, "It really is for the Carlos Molinas and Luis Ramoses and these kind of guys. Guys fighting four-rounders, six-rounders, maybe an eventual eight-rounder." Both Molina and Ramos are fledgling boxers who have begun to move more than a few tickets. "That’s exactly the beauty of it. If you give these young kids [the opportunity], who come from Hispanic neighborhoods or whatever ethnic neighborhoods in Los Angeles, they build up a local following and it’s sort of like a word-of-mouth with Carlos Molina, 10-0 with 6 knockouts and Luis Ramos with 13-0 with 7 knockouts. The public, the communities, are starting to talk about these young undefeated kids. And they bring more and more followers and more and more ticket buyers and that’s exactly how you build up that ticket base.”
Ramos and Molina are managed by Frank Espinoza who says, "They’ve already got a fan base. They’re very popular. They’re Orange County kids out of Santa Ana and they bring a lot to the table besides being good fighters. They sell tickets and they have a fan base. So we’re doing real well for this upcoming show at Club Nokia on February 25th. So we’re expecting a good crowd for all our guys."
The hope is that eventually a boxer can graduate from the Club Nokia, to the Nokia Theater, to perhaps one day performing across the street at the Staples Center. It’s a slow and steady progress towards that goal.
"If one guy, sold for the first show, 15 tickets and the next one 30 tickets, then 50 tickets, then a 100 tickets, then 200 tickets, that’s exactly the trend you want to see," said Schaefer. "And the only way this trend is going to work is if you have them shown on a regular, consistent basis and they fight in a fan-friendly style."
According to Espinoza, this progression is already taking place. "I’ve already purchased about 200 tickets and now the other people, their other fans have gone direct to the Club Nokia box office." The respected manager, who also handles the career of Israel Vazquez, Abner Mares and Ronny Rios (who is slated to perform at the Club Nokia on March 25th), believes that this series is perfect for his crew of up-and-coming prizefighters.
"It fits well, the atmosphere is good, it’s got a young crowd. It’s got an atmosphere like a night club and it goes well. It’s a nice theme."
REMATCH
While I was on the phone with Schaefer last Wednesday afternoon, I inquired as to why there was no discussion of a possible rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz. After all, it was voted the 2009 ESPN.com “Fight of the Year” and right now, they don’t have dance partners. Yeah, I know they are both coming off losses, but their styles mesh seamlessly.
"It’s so funny, you must have a bug on my phone," he responded, with a chuckle. "Because today, it must’ve been like two hours ago, I talked to Kery Davis (of HBO Sports) and I said, ’Look, the first fight was a really good fight, the ’Fight of the Year’ and Marquez won by knockout.’ But the truth be told, pretty much, many of the previous rounds before that knockout belonged to Diaz. Diaz fought a great fight and then he got caught with almost getting too comfortable. So I know that Juan Diaz would like that fight again and I’m sure Marquez would be open to it, as well. I think fight fans would embrace that, as well. Maybe…who knows…that’s just in the DNA of the Marquez family to be involved in back-to-back-to-back ‘Fights of the Year,’ just like his brother did with Israel Vazquez.
"There are worse things in boxing than seeing a rematch of a ’Fight of the Year’,” added Schaefer.
Can’t say I disagree with that. But what reaction did Schaefer receive? "His (Davis’) response was, ’Ah, I don’t know if I can afford this!’"
MONEY-MOSLEY TIX
So when do tickets go on sale officially for the May 1st encounter between Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather?
"The plan is to have a press tour on the first week of March," explained Schaefer, "So after the Olympics we would put the tickets on sale in the first week of March, as well."
TAPE DON’T LIE
Yes, it’s true; I finally got a copy of the first bout between Gabriel Campillo and Beibut Shumenov that took place over the summer in Kazakhstan and I can see why Shumenov’s people kept telling anyone who asked that a copy of this fight didn’t exist (seriously, this is the 21st century, isn’t it?). Because for all their carping about how they got robbed in losing a majority decision to Campillo, from what I saw, the official scorecards (which read 115-111, 113-113 and 114-113) were actually much too generous for Shumenov. This bout was only slightly less one-sided then the rematch that took place last month in Las Vegas.
But ironically enough, Shumenov, whose real strength as a boxer seems to be that he’s extremely well-connected, had to go all the way to “Sin City” to receive a “house decision,” which says something about the judges and the judging in that jurisdiction. It’s ironic that the one judge that was appointed by the WBA for the second go-around (Levi Martinez) saw the fight the way just about everyone else did, 117-111 for Campillo.
But yes, a copy of Campillo-Shumenov I does exist. Don’t let anyone tell you that it doesn’t. My source in Iowa is good…REAL good. In fact, he’s now working on getting me an original copy of Cain versus Abel. And I don’t doubt for one second that he’ll come through.
WEEKEND THOUGHTS
- I just wonder if Shawn Porter, who struggled in his ten-round verdict over Russell Jordan, can really be effective at 154. He’s a well-built, muscular kid, but he’s also very compact in stature. Technically, he still boxes like an amateur from the outside and seems a tad stiff in the upper body. But again, it’s still very early for him and Jordan was a bit of a stylistic nightmare.
My guess is that if he stays at junior middleweight, Porter will have to find a safe haven fighting on the inside when he faces the bigger ’54-pounders.
As for Lanard Lane, who upstaged Porter at the Wolstein Center, he looked good in pounding out an eight-round decision against the game Martin Tucker. Lane has a good offensive skill set. The only question is, at 27 years old, how close is he to reaching his overall ceiling as a fighter? He’s certainly worth keeping an eye on.
- Giovanni Segura, who successfully defended his WBA 108-pound title by bludgeoning Walter Tello in three, is the very definition of “Swing like hell; you just might hit something.” He is who he is, a guy who will club you like a caveman with no remorse.
As for the return of Urbano Antillon, I was disappointed that his bout with Luis Arceo was halted in the third. It was an entertaining back-and-forth battle early on that was unfortunately stopped by a cut on Arceo, caused by a clean punch. But while Antillon got back on the winning side of things, I don’t know, but he just looked awfully hittable in there. I don’t know what it is, but it’s almost like he’s doing a form of the “peek-a-boo” and he’s coming in awfully squared up with an ear-muff placement of his gloves. The only problem is, he’s doesn’t always come forward with a jab and there the requisite head movement isn’t available, either, which was a huge problem against Miguel Acosta.
But Antillon is certainly a fun television fighter. The question is, is he too fun for his own good?
CB4
Seriously, this movie had me laughing. Especially this part: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFY2kJ96jNY
How this wasn’t a hit, I’ll never know.
FINAL FLURRIES
On Friday night on Telemundo, Edel Ruiz stopped “Bones” Adams in four. I think that’s it for “Bones”...I keep hearing that Telefutura will be getting back into the business of televising boxing and that Golden Boy will be getting those dates. But when I asked Schaefer about it, he had no comment...Tickets for the April 17th bout between Kelly Pavlik and Sergio Martinez go on sale at high noon on Monday. You can get them through TicketMaster.com (800-736-1420). Tickets are priced at $350, $200, $100 and $50...No word on when Pavlik postpones this fight (I’m kidding, I’m kidding!!!)...Anyone watching the Winter Olympics any less than I am?...Here is what Tiger Woods should’ve really said: "I made a terrible mistake. I got married waaaay too early."...This past week’s edition of “The Main Event” featured Larry Merchant of HBO Sports and Kathy Duva of Main Events...Any questions or comments can be sent to me at k9kim@yahoo.com. You can also follow me at www.twitter.com/stevemaxboxing. And we now have a Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/MaxBoxing...
