Sugar Ray Leonard, the dazzling Olympian and five-division world champion, brings his promotional skills to Pala Casino today.
"I'm a little on edge, but optimistic about the fight card," Leonard said recently of his venture as a boxing promoter. "If things go well, I plan on bringing back more entertaining fights."
Leonard also talked about his philosophy of promoting fights.
"I have a great matchmaker in Ron Katz, and we want to give boxing fans good, competitive fights," Leonard said.
Asked whether he can fill the big shoes of aging promoters such as Don King and Bob Arum, Leonard responded: "I wear a size 10 1/2. I'll find a way."
If confidence and determination are any recipe for success, then Sugar Ray Leonard Promotions should do very well.
His first fight card at Pala features a great main event, with Verno Phillips (36-8-1, 18 knockouts) taking on the very tough Julio Garcia (25-2-2, 11 KOs) in a junior middleweight clash that serves as an IBF title eliminator.
Pechanga to host card
Another fantastic IBF title eliminator, this time in the junior lightweight division, takes place at Pechanga in one week. The IBF's seventh-ranked contender, Robbie Peden (22-2, 12 KOs), steps into the ring against No. 2 Nate Campbell (24-1-1, 21 KOs).
Keith Holmes, the former junior middleweight world champion, returns to action against a tough, young fighter in Uzbekistan's Kuvanych Toygonbayev (23-1, 15 KOs), the WBC's No. 4 contender. This will be a stern test for Toygonbayev.
Slick Robert Guerrero (11-0, four KOs) of Gilroy fights Julian Rodriguez (13-9-1, seven KOs) of Mexico, and impressive young heavyweight prospect Malcolm Tann (8-1, four KOs) fights a six-round bout against an opponent to be named.
A women's fight features Nina Ahlin (10-4-1, three KOs) taking on Stephanie Dobbs (9-13-2, five KOs).
Closing out the show are two young bantamweights: Guillermo Valdez (1-0, one KO) against Francisco Urrabazo, making his pro debut.
Boxing buzz
The biggest fight of the year is just about official: Oscar De La Hoya vs. Bernard Hopkins. They will meet Sept. 18 if both get past preliminary opponents. It will be a matchup that provides an opportunity for the winner to proclaim himself the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
De La Hoya, coming off a tough loss to Sugar Shane Mosely, will be facing a middleweight in his prime. Hopkins destroyed the No. 2 middleweight in the world, William Joppy, and will enjoy the chance to remind fight fans that he is one of the best in the business.
Many fans might have forgotten about Hopkins since his destructive victory over Felix Trinidad. Speaking of which, the De La Hoya-Hopkins winner just might fight the comeback-minded Trinidad in an even bigger bout next year.
Elite Eight pound-for-pound ratings
1. Roy Jones Jr.: Next fight a rematch vs. Antonio Tarver.
2. Bernard Hopkins: Tough fight with De La Hoya looms.
3. Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Looking for a victim.
4. Kostya Tszyu: Still healing.
5. Sugar Shane Mosely: Takes on Winky Wright on March 13.
6. Oscar De La Hoya: Tough fight with Hopkins ahead.
7. Acelino Freitas: A great champion ready for another challenge.
8. Erik Morales: Fought tough Jesus Chavez and won gritty fight.
Contact freelance boxing writer Rich Vierling at richvierling366@hotmail.com or at his Web site: thejab.net.
