16.08.04 – Browning Boxing, Inc. will present a Night of Young Heavyweights at the Park Plaza Hotel at Reliant Center on Thursday, August 19. The landmark eighth anniversary show will feature five heavyweight bouts, including three big men making their professional debuts. Since July of 1997, Browning Boxing has been integral in reviving the live boxing scene in the Bayou City, cultivating grassroots interest in the sport by providing a platform for promising local pugilists to showcase their skills in front of their hometown fans while moving up the ranks.
The crescendo in popular appeal of the sweet science was evidenced last month when over 3,500 fans showed up at the Reliant Arena to cheer on Juan Diaz as he wrested the WBA lightweight title from Lakva Sim live on HBO. A Houstonian since birth, Diaz, 20, had fought many of his bouts on the Browning Boxing stage en route to the world title.
Like Diaz, many up-and-coming Houston prizefighters have cut their teeth at the Browning show before advancing to fight on the world stage. Promoter Jim Browning has combined the right doses of punch and pizzazz, guts and glamour to attract a loyal and broad-based following comprising of everyone from the traditional blue collar fight fan to corporate movers and shakers to the Vegas-style show. It is as much a social mixer as it is a sporting event where out-of-town clients are entertained, introductions made and business cards exchanged. At the same time, the event is laid back and cozy enough for fighter and fan to intermingle after the bout for autograph signings and photo opportunities.
Headlining the eighth anniversary show is up-and-coming prospect Malcolm Tann, 11-1 (5 KOs), of San Antonio. On the under card, 2003 National Golden Gloves champion Travis Walker of Tallahassee, FL, will make his highly anticipated professional debut. Local heavyweights Mike Julien of Galveston and Roberto “El Jefe” Flores of Houston will also fight as professionals for the first time in separate bouts.
Tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for ringside. Doors open at 6:30 and the first bell will sound at 7:30 pm. The Park Plaza Hotel is located on the Corner of Kirby Drive and 610 across the street from the Astroworld Parking lot. The address is 8686 Kirby Drive. For more information, please contact Jim Browning at 713-426-5400, e-mail: gojimbo@houston.rr.com; or visit www.browningboxing.com.
Carlos “Stiff-jab” Kalinchuk
Contributing Writer & Photographer