23.08.06 – SAN DIEGO, Calif.– Not too long ago, not even the most diehard boxing fan could tell you who Carlos Baldomir (photo by Marty Rosengarten) or Sycuan Ringside Promotions was.
That was then.
Now, as Sycuan Ringside Promotions prepares to present its seventh world title bout of 2006, the stage is set for Baldomir to defend his World Boxing Council welterweight championship against fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. Nov. 4 from Mandalay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
“It’s really incredible how far Carlos has come in such a short time,” said Glenn Quiroga, President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “And there’s an interesting parallel between his ascent to the top of the sport and ours as a promotional entity. This is an exciting time for all of us.”..
Baldomir stunned the world by tossing Zab Judah around the ring Jan. 8, 2006, in a 12-round decision in New York en route to becoming the welterweight champion of the world. Baldomir’s encore performance included a spectacular ninth-round stoppage of Arturo Gatti July 22, 2006, in Atlantic City, N.J.
“In the time frame that Carlos has been with us, you could argue that there hasn’t been a better fighter in all of boxing,” said Scott Woodworth, Vice President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “That is something of which we are very proud, and we couldn’t be happier for Carlos.”
Relentless in the ring, Baldomir’s pugnacious personality pulled him through the rough patches of his early career when he was forced to sell feather dusters in the streets of his hometown of Santa Fe, Argentina, in order to make ends meet. But, upon joining forces with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, his fortunes began looking up and he enjoyed his first real payday against Gatti; he’ll make even more against Mayweather.
“When I get in the ring and fight, I am doing it for my family,” Baldomir said. “Every punch I take is for my wife and kids so that they never have to have the life that I had growing up.”
Against Mayweather Jr., boxing’s modern day Cinderella Man once again will be the underdog.
“In my career, I have boxed everyone in their hometown, with their fans, referees and judges,” Baldomir said. “Judah’s from New York. Gatti had the press conference for our fight right down the street from where he lives. Mayweather Jr. can go ahead and look past me. Nobody has ever expected me to win and that’s fine. On Nov. 4, I will show once more why I own the belt.
“And a lot of credit goes to Sycuan Ringside Promotions for guiding my career to the point it is now. They’ve always treated me first-class in every way and have done everything possible to help me succeed.”
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has not only lived up to its reputation as the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional force in boxing, it’s redefining the boxing industry.
Since making its promotional debut during 2004, Sycuan Ringside Promotions already has or has had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.
But, Sycuan Ringside Promotions has done more than just assemble world-class boxers, it has promoted or co-promoted significant, nationally televised cards in California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas
What has set Sycuan Ringside Promotions apart from other promotional entities are two fight cards:
During 2005, it presented the inaugural “Salute to America’s Heroes,” a benefit card at United States Marine Corps Camp Pendleton near San Diego which was open only to military personnel and free of charge. “Salute to America’s Heroes 2” is planned for the fall of 2006.
During 2006, Sycuan Ringside Promotions co-promoted the inaugural “Tribal Pride,” the first card ever presented solely by two Native American promotional entities and a glimpse into the future of boxing.
“The future of boxing is changing, and we’ll be at the forefront of that,” said Sycuan Ringside Promotions Executive Vice President Willie Tucker. “Our ultimate goal is to unite the Native American tribes and form a nationwide promotional entity. And we are well on our way.”
Among the notable boxers in Sycuan Ringside Promotions stable are: undefeated former World Boxing Organization junior featherweight champion Joan Guzman, WBC super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, International Boxing Federation lightweight interim champion Julio Diaz, World Boxing Association super bantamweight interim champion Celestino Caballero, former WBO bantamweight champion Mauricio Martinez and undefeated teenage lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr.
For more information, visit www.Sycuan.com.