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03/23/2004 Archived Entry: "DiBella Announces Fight Series"
DiBella Announces Fight Series
Madison Square Garden Network, HDNet to Televise…
New York, NY - DiBella Entertainment will launch Broadway Boxing Presented by Mohegan Sun, a monthly series featuring New York City fighters on Thursday night, April 22, at the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center (311 West 34th Street), it was announced yesterday at Gallagher's Steak House by DBE president Lou DiBella.
The monthly series will first be broadcast by HDNet in high definition and then on Madison Square Garden Network, and throughout New England on standard cable. DiBella Entertainment is in discussions with local sports networks to distribute the show nationally.
On April 22, unbeaten Brooklyn Golden Gloves champion Paulie Malignaggi (16-0, 5 KO's) will square off against the veteran Rocky Martinez (40-9-1, 20 KO's) in a 10-round junior welterweight contest in the main event.
In the co-feature, another unbeaten Brooklyn native, Sechew Powell, (11-0, 8 KO's) will take on undefeated Sergio Melendez (5-0) in an eight round junior middleweight bout. Queens welterweight contender Chris Smith (16-0-1, 10 KO's) will appear in an eight-round welterweight contest. Light heavyweight Aneudi Santos, the Hofstra University student fighting out of Freeport, will be in action in a six-rounder; and Nigerian cruiserweight
The broadcast team will include: MSG's talented Gus Johnson delivering the blow by blow; boxing authority Steve Farhood handling expert analyst duties; New York native and former Golden Gloves champion Brian Adams will be the ringside reporter and third man, while WFAN and "Imus in the Morning" sportscaster Sid Rosenberg will serve as the ring announcer. Respected Boston Globe writer Ron Borges will rotate with Farhood and handle color commentary on the New England shows.
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P.2, DBE announced Broadway Boxing Series
Ehinomen Ehikhamenor, now fighting out of Brooklyn, is slated for a four-round bout fresh off a stirring first round KO win in his pro debut.
The cards will originate from venues in the five boroughs, the greater New York Metropolitan Tri-State area, and Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Mohegan Sun is the series site sponsor. Turner Construction, HBO Sports, Everlast Worldwide, Gallagher's Steak House and Punch are also sponsors. The date for the second show in the series is June 4 at the Mid-Hudson Valley Civic Center.
"We are delighted to have an association with MSG Network and HDTV in order to give the top New York area fighters the chance to strut their stuff," said DiBella. "This is a great opportunity for these kids to build a following."
"Boxing has always been an important part of our programming lineup," said Leon Schweir, executive producer, MSG Networks. "We have a significant fight fan viewership whom we know will enjoy the fact that the Broadway Boxing series will give them opportunity to follow young New York fighters."
Said Terdema Ussery, Chief Executive Officer of HDNet: "When we first entered into a relationship with Lou DiBella to do a fight or two, we did it with the hope that he could put together the kind of first rate, entertaining show that would be impactful, and that the many viewers of HDNet have come to regularly enjoy. With this announcement, we're happy to say that DiBella Entertainment under-promised and over-delivered and the result is this exciting extension of our partnership which will result in as many as ten fight cards over the next 12 months.
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P. 3, DBE announced Broadway Boxing Series
"We are very excited to be entering into this relationship with DiBella Entertainment," Ussery continued. "Hopefully this great lineup of credible fights on HDNet will continue to showcase the sport of professional boxing in the most compelling and entertaining way, that is, in 1080i high definition."
There was great delight shared by the fighters, the commission and sponsors at the promise of regular boxing shows in the Big Apple.
"Mohegan Sun is delighted to be a sponsor and one of the host sites for DiBella Entertainment's Broadway Boxing series," said Paul Munick, Vice President of Sports and Entertainment, Mohegan Sun. "We are sure to present many exciting fights as we have in the past with DBE, and this is an important step in developing the future stars of the sport."
Said headliner Malignaggi: "This is awesome. Fighting on my home turf in front of my family and friends will make me perform better than ever. I know I will put on a great show. Rocky Martinez is going to have the New York welcome wagon roll all over him."
"I grew up in New York, train in New York, and live here, so to be a part of a monthly boxing series in my backyard is just amazing," said Powell. "This is going to be a thrill each and everytime I enter the ring."
"The New York State Athletic Commission is looking forward to regulating DiBella Entertainment's Broadway Boxing series. Knowing the company as we do, our expectations are of high level competitive matches in an atmosphere conducive to the sport," said Ron Scott Stevens, NYSAC Chairman.
As part of the Broadway Boxing community relations effort, Turner Construction will sponsor a series of DBE boxing clinics at Police Athletic League locations within the five boroughs. The PAL clinics will be conducted by boxers who will be appearing on Broadway Boxing.
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P. 4, DBE Announces Broadway Boxing
In addition, DBE will donate $1 of every Broadway Boxing ticket sold to The Innocence Project. The Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law was created by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld in 1992. It was set up as and remains a non-profit legal clinic. This Project only handles cases where postconviction DNA testing of evidence can yield conclusive proof of innocence. As a clinic, students handle the case work while supervised by a team of attorneys and clinic staff.
Tickets are priced at $76, $51 and $36, and there are a limited number of VIP Ringside tickets for $101. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling 212-307-7171, on the internet at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets including Tower Records, HMV and Coconuts.
Doors will open at 6:00 PM, and the first fight is at 7:00 PM.
