TV GURU LOOKING FOR PROMOTER TO
WORK WITH
Television magnate Rick Koulis is looking to break bread with a few promoters who already
have dates scheduled for the next couple of months. The intent is to go weekly with a
fight card that will be aired
Internationally on television, with a possible delayed US airing on the United States
Satellite Broadcasting (USSB).
EXPOSURE IS PRICELESS!
Especially seeing the USA Tuesday Night Fights are history. The new Friday Night Fights on
ESPN 2 on the other hand are only seen by half of the country seeing they begin at 5 PM
California time.
KOULIS ALWAYS ON "CUTTING EDGE"
From his days as a Closed Circuit and PPV Distributor, to the televising of all female
fight cards on PPV, Koulis has always been at the forefront of televised sports. "I'm
looking for to work with some guys who have dates, but no TV."
Rick Koulis can be reached at 1-800-807-2288
ROBINSON-GATTI II IN DECEMBER
HBO has announced that they have come to terms with both Ivan Robinson and Arturo Gatti
making their fantasized about rematch a reality for December 19, under Floyd Mayweather's
WBC 130 lb. title defense against world champ Angel Manfredy.
BAD FIGHT FOR GATTI
The Gatti team thinks that Arturo was under prepared for Robinson and that was the reason
Ivan walked away with a split decision. Two judges saw it 98-93, and 96-94, for the
Philadelphian. Incredibly, the third scoring official had the fight 94-93 for Gatti in a
fight I thought Ivan won clearly.
SHAKY MOMENTS FOR IVAN
The Duva family promote the always in a good fight Gatti. This is the same group that once
handled Robinson before his chin began to leak. Main Events (the Duvas) released Ivan and
when looking for a comeback foil for Gatti, Robinson was the guy.
Neither a big puncher, or a great catcher, this made Ivan the perfect choice for the
Cannuck's return to the ring eight months after Angel Manfredy stopped him in January.
IVAN BUM RUSHED GATTI...
And never let the 29-3, (24 KO's) former HBO poster boy get in the fight. The only reason
this fight was in question was the never die attitude of Gatti and Ivan's leaky chin.
ROBINSON NEED ONLY WORRY ABOUT HIS BEARD
If Ivan can keep his chin away from the early bombs that Gatti will be throwing, the
former amateur standout will have Gatti for lunch again.
TENDER MUG A PROBLEM
Within a minute of the first bell, Robinson had Gatti's facial features swelling up.
DIFFERENT RESULT THIS TIME
Instead of a split decision, Ivan will either win unanimously or stop Gatti whose days of
beating world class pugs are over.
JOSE IS RIGHT
Jose Sulaiman is the president of the World Boxing Council, more commonly referred to as
the WBC. With their annual convention currently being held in South Africa, Sulaiman
talked of his desire to rid boxing of it's Mickey Mouse sanctioning bodies.
AN EASY TARGET
The American educated Sulaiman has been harshly criticized by yours truly more times than
not. But his stance against South Africa and the Apartheid issue alone remains a high
point with me seeing how I feel about Civil Rights and the like.
12 SEEMS SAFER, DOESN'T IT?
Being from the old school, I miss a 15 round title fight. But statistics seem to back up
the notion that 12 rounds is safer for the participants and that's what the big picture
should be all about.
MEDICAL CONGRESS
Last year the WBC hosted their first ever World Medical Congress. The five day event was
attended by over 600 of the world's top sports physicians from over 125 countries. The
knowledge taken from the Medical Congress included a blood test that can detect a gene
that would make a person more prone to brain disorders from boxing.
BACKS MUHAMMAD ALI BOXING ACT
That's right, Jose Sulaiman backs the Muhammad Ali Boxing Act which is close to becoming
law. This would take away some of the WBC's power, but Sulaiman put it like this.
"Anything that will improve the overall safety of the boxer, the WBC supports."
PENSIONS TO PEOPLE LIKE...
Jose and the 'BC give monthly stipends to ring greats like Kid Gavilan and the like to see
that they have decent food to eat.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS...
Jose is not a bad guy per say. Last year in Aruba, I watched him tip a waitress who had
waited on us all week an extra $100 bill when nobody was looking.
While a "C" note means little to the independently wealthy Sulaiman, it amounted
to nearly a full week of wages for the mother of three.
No, Jose is not a bad guy. He's a politician.
NAVE-HAUGEN II
Marin County, one of the most beautiful places in California, will once again play host to
world class boxing when Paul Nave rematches Greg Haugen in a 12 rounder on December 5, at
the Marin County Veteran's Memorial Auditorium.
FIRST TIME ON "THE DEUCE"
ESPN 2 viewers got to see their first battle which occurred on March 27, with the result
being Nave winning a unanimous decision after 12 heats. Haugen, a former champ at 135 and
140 lbs. has a pro log of 37-8-2, (20 KO's).
PAUL THE DRAW
Nave, the hometown favorite has a professional record of 16-5-2 (8 KO's) and is in a
position to again make a "high" five figure purse as the ticket revenues for the
rematch will eclipse $100,000.
ESPN 2 NOT AVAILABLE DECEMBER 5
Promoter Peter Howes is working on some national/international television for the card.
But should that fall through, Nave-Haugen would be aired delayed on local Cable in
Northern California.
AN OPEN LETTER TO ESPN BOXING CZAR BILL CAYTON
Dear Bill,
I hope you and yours are well!
Here are the Top 10 reasons why Pedro Fernandez should be the "In Studio
Analyst" for the Friday Night Fights on ESPN 2.
10. My 12 years of RING TALK means I don't write copy and then try to read it on air.
9. Race Card: The team is all prissy white.
8. Four time North Calif. Golden Glove Champ & '84 Western Olympic Trialist.
7. At 41, I have 31 years of boxing related experience.
6. 27 years of Journalistic experience/Award winning writer.
5. Public relations experience. Highlight was being Ali's PR guy through
two tours of China in '93 & '94.
4. My award winning web site @ www.fighters.com and
the fact that I am writing about the sport everyday.
3. On camera persona, along with an unparalleled ability to fill air time.
2. Grasp of subject: As host of Ring Talk, my ability to answer phone calls and e mail
from around the globe clearly illustrate the instilled acumen.
And the number one reason why Pedro Fernandez should be the "In Studio Analyst"
for the ESPN 2 Friday Nights.
1. Pedro is a broadcaster with a boxing background that can put forth knowledge in a
manner that is easy for the viewer to understand and that he or she can acquire knowledge
from!
Enclosed you will find my video demo, bio, and the second hour of last Saturday night's
Ring Talk show.
In closing Mr. Cayton, the future of televised boxing is here! Give me one chance and I'll
make you look like a genius!
Sincerely,
Pedro Fernandez
The writer has his own site at www.fighters.com and
can be reached at flash@inow.com