Retired Boxers Foundation Salutes Crown Boxing

The Retired Boxers Foundation is proud to announce the selection of Crown Boxing and Boyd Gaming (owners of the Orleans Hotel) in Las Vegas as the January 2008 recipient of the “Undisputed Champions for Dignity Award!” for their well planned, well managed and superbly promoted boxing shows at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. Crown Boxing was selected, along with the Orleans Hotel, for their history of promoting shows that are professional, exciting, safe and easily accessible to the fans..

Their first show, on January 11th, has a sold out crowd of more than 2000 fans and featured a card where a former UNLV Basketball star made his pro debut against a seasoned amateur champion who recently turned pro. It was a great opportunity for the fans to see a basketball star, Kaspars Kambala, make his pro debut, against another up and coming fighter, Alvaro Morales. Another fight on the card featured journeyman “Wreckless” Willy Chapman with a 21-28-4 record, against Carlos “Boom” Barnett at 10-1-0 for the IBA heavyweight championship continental belt won by split decision by Carlos “Boom” Barnett . It was a well matched fight in terms of skill and both boxers gave it their all. Another fight, and something that Crown Boxing enjoys promoting, was a fight between “Amazing” Layla McCarter and challenger, Cindy “Checkmate” Serrano. Cindy was a game opponent, but McCarter just gets better every time she fights and won unanimously.

What the Retired Boxers Foundation likes about Crown Boxing, owned by Frank Luca, is the fact that they are cultivating fans for a sport that has become to expensive for so many fans. They are giving boxers who might never appear on HBO, but who are skilled craftsmen, the chance to fight in front of a crowd who is excited to see them. The crowds are electric at a Crown Boxing Show and fans remain in their seats until the last fight is fought. Frank Luca is no snob and he has a long history in the sport of boxing. He also knows how to promote a show without relying on the fights being televised. He promotes the shows heavily in the Las Vegas area and taps into a heavy Latino marketing strategy through Jaime Estrada, who also provides commentary for the Crown Boxing shows that are taped for local markets. Frank Luca’s Crown Boxing has been at the Orleans Hotel for over a 3 years and already has another dozen fights lined up for 2008. It seems to be a great match between the Orleans Hotel (owned by Boyd Gaming) and Luca’s family run, Crown Boxing. They are providing a consistent sight, with consistent and affordable prices, and a consistently good card for the fans.

Promoting boxing shows without television is not easy, but Frank Luca knows that returning to the roots of boxing promotion, growing your own fan base, and giving a chance to a fighter who is trying to get back into the sport, as well as the new fighters who are dreaming of a career in boxing, is a great way to keep boxing alive and helping it grow. While the fan’s love to see fights on premium networks, most of these fights are out of the ballpark in terms of ticket costs. Local boxing shows offer the fans a chance to enjoy the sport, learn about the sport and THAT is what grows the sport.

The Retired Boxers Foundation salutes Frank Luca and his family run Crown Boxing; the Orleans Hotels (Boyd Gaming) and the Nevada Boxing Commission for putting on fabulously entertaining, safe boxing shows. For more information on Crown Boxing and upcoming shows at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, visit their site at www.

ABOUT THE RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION:

The mission of the Retired Boxers Foundation, an IRS Nonprofit corporation, is to assist retired professional boxers, in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Particular attention is made to assist those who have left the sport with physical, emotional or neurological damage; especially those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and the affects of pugilistic dementia (the medical term for “punch drunk”). The Retired Boxers Foundation was created by Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos, who is himself disabled. For more information on the Retired Boxers Foundation, please visit our site at www.retiredboxers.org.