18.03.08 – By Raymond Markarian: Making exciting fights is important for this sport. But rewarding the fighters that risk their lives in the ring is probably more significant. Many times in boxing, a fighter will give his all in victory but get little fanfare or financial gain. (Who can ever forget the image of Rocky Balboa sitting by his locker next to Spider Rico collecting his $60 purse?.)
The boxing renaissance of the past few years has given us enjoyable fights but on what grounds? How can an unknown exciting fighter get more recognition?
I once had a boxer tell me that “Rankings do not matter to boxing fans, only exciting fights.” Goossen Tutor Promotions and “The American Metal & Iron Fight Night at the Tank” are banking on that idea, with a $500 check.
Dan Goossen, the promoter of the upcoming boxing event on March 20th featuring Andre Ward, spoke about his attempt to show appreciation to the best 4 round fighters in boxing with “You Be the Judge.”
“You Be the Judge” is a contest that lets the crowd decide the most exciting 4 round fighter of the night by allowing the fans to choose which winner of the 4 round fights brings the most entertainment. The winners of the 4 round fights respectively, will be brought to the center of the ring before the main event and the one that gets the most cheers gets a $500 check.
“Let me just put it to you like this. When was the last time you wrote a story about a 4 round fight?” Goossen said. “You be the Judge was created to allow the fans to have a voice. 4 round fights do not get very much interest. But some of the best fights out there are the 4 rounders. The fighters are always hungry, want attention, and seem to want to please the crowds. “Many times, these 4 round fighters don’t get more than about $2,000 for a fight. But “You Be the Judge” is a way for them to make some extra money and build a fan base.”
Goossen seemed proud to show gratitude to the 4 round fighters and speaks of the idea as a victory for the sport of boxing.
“Everybody is a winner.” Goossen said. “People get excited about the bouts; the fighters get a $500 bonus, and it engages the fans. The best part about it is that it gives the 4 round fighters a platform.”
The winner of the “You Be the Judge” contest will be chosen before the main event of Goossen’s next promotion that showcase’s Andre Ward vs. Ruben Williams in San Jose, Ca.
Francisco Santana 8-0 (4 KO’s) a fighter on the under card of the show this Thursday was a past winner of “You Be the Judge” and has gained more extra support in the San Jose area because of the contest.
Goossen said “That is what this challenge can do for young boxers, it attracts people around them. We’ve seen the same thing with American Idol, the fans input counts. “You Be the Judge” allows the boxing fans to be the judge.”
Contact: Raymond.markarian@yahoo.com