DENVER, COLORADO (IB- April 10, 2003) - Promoters Barry Fey and Murad Muhammad joined
Denver mayor Wellington Webb and local matchmaker Aurelio Martinez in
announcing plans to bring championship boxing to the Denver Coliseum 6 times per
year for the next 3 years.In a press conference held today at the downtown Denver ADAM’S MARK HOTEL, the announcement was made that the inaugural event will be held on Friday, May 16, 2003 in the Denver Coliseum.
Headlining this fight card will be Former Two-Time World Champion Keith Holmes versus a yet to be determined opponent.
Holmes was intent on showing the Denver media just how confident he is.
After his arrival at Denver International Airport in a winter coat purchased to battle Denver's “winter weather”, Holmes expressed surprise at the balmy 75 degrees he walked into.
He thanked all members of “The Fearsome Foursome” for their support and proceeded to take off his shirt.
His intent was to show all in attendance that one month prior to his scheduled 12 round title match he is in shape to do battle RIGHT NOW!
Holmes has compiled a professional record of 36-3-0 (24 KO’S). Two of his 3 losses were in middleweight title bouts.
There should be no doubt that Keith Holmes was the right choice as the headliner for the inaugural Denver Fight Night.
Against Hassine Cherifi, Holmes went to Paris, France on May 2, 1988 and lost a 12 round decision.
Against Bernard Hopkins, Holmes went to New York City on April 14, 2001 and lost another 12 round decision.
The prospect of entertaining a fighter the caliber of Keith Holmes to headline this unique collaboration between the city of Denver, premier promoters Fey and Muhammad makes for an exciting, and possibly lucrative, opportunity.
The co-main event will feature the current USBA Lightweight Champion Levander Johnson (32-3-2) versus Brian Adams (17-3-1).
Johnson will put his USBA Lightweight title on the line in a scheduled 12 round match against the tough Adams.
Having won his last two fights, Adams feels he is more than capable of dethroning Johnson.
A BIG interest will be in the local talent scheduled. Undefeated and highly talked about prospects Adrian Mora and Donald Camarena will showcase their talent as they step into the ring in front of a home town audience.
Denver’s own light welterweight prospect Adrian Mora (9-0-0, 4 KO’S), will take on a tough Greg Torrez (15-2-0, 6 KO’S) who hails from Puerto Rico in a scheduled 8 round bout.
The undefeated Mora spoke of relishing this chance to show the world that not only he, but Colorado boxers on the whole have been overlooked.
Undefeated Donald Camarena (6-0-0, 3 KO’S) will take on a yet to be determined opponent that will test his skills as he continues to step up in competition.
Camarena has been compared to Roy Jones, Jr. in that he is lightening quick and elusive. He too is excited by the opportunity to showcase his skills to the world.
This collaboration of promoters and the city of Denver will be viewed with skepticism because nothing like this has ever been attempted.
But the fact that Barry Fey and Wellington Webb were able to reach an agreement on the city’s committing the Denver Coliseum in itself is intriguing.
Few cities venture into professional boxing unless huge monetary profits are guaranteed. This agreement carries no such guarantee.
All profits will be split in 3 equal parts.
Barry Fey, Murad Muhammad and the city of Denver are the 3 parties splitting the pot.
There will be a huge community outreach in attempting to have some 11,000 fight fans in attendance.
Local corporations, businesses and fight fans in general will be targeted to help make this venture a success.
Fey and Muhammad stood arm-in-arm the entire press conference answering any and all questions without hesitation. All went well until one very pertinent question was asked.
What would be the cost of a ticket?
$10 and up was the answer.
The silence was deafening! $10 bucks and up?
How can world-class fighters be lured to Denver when tickets can be purchased for a mere $10?
This is where Murad Muhammad, Barry Fey and Aurelio Martinez have their hands full. They seem convinced ticket prices equal to the cost of a feature film debut ticket are realistic.
Not saying it cannot be done, but the mountain ahead is surely an Everest type climb.
The “Fearsome Foursome”, as I’ll call the four main associates, is putting their reputations on the line in this attempt to make Denver a world class boxing venue.
Denver has long been considered a place that houses fighters who “put up a good fight”. This latest venture seems intent on raising the bar to include fighters who carry the title “World Champion” beside them.
6 fights cards a year for the next 3 years…if anybody can make it happen Colorado’s version of the “Fearsome Foursome” can.
Tickets priced at $10, $15, $20 and $25