The first event had been scheduled to take place at the Tampa Convention on Friday, March 2, 2012. Fifteen minutes prior to the start of the event, the Florida State Boxing Commission was forced to pull the plug due to an unforeseen situation that left Jerry Estrada, the promoter of the event, with less than the minimum amount of bouts required for a sanctioned event in the State of Florida.. While most first-time promoters would have called it a day, Jerry Estrada did the unthinkable; he paid all the fighters, in full, paid everyone involved with the show and returned all ticket monies immediately.
“I learned a lot from that experience”, stated Estrada. He continued, “We decided to make some critical adjustments and get right back into following through with the plan.”
The “Plan” is to bring a monthly boxing series to Tampa, and then beyond. This includes TV and or webcasts of all events, build up a solid team of fighters and to become a major player in the sport of Professional Boxing.
“I reorganized the company, renaming it American Boxing Promotions and brought in people that know the sport inside and out”, Estrada said. One of the people Estrada hired is Bill Calogero, AKA Billy C, who will head all Boxing Operations, and one of the best Matchmakers the sport has to offer in Florida Boxing Hall of Famer, Johnny Bos.
Estrada continued, “By bringing in key people, I believe we will be able to move in the direction we have planned. Effective immediately, Bill will handle the day-to-day Boxing operations for American Boxing Productions and his very first recommendation was to get Bos on board, which we did. We are all very excited and look forward to giving the fans what they crave, exciting, competitive boxing cards.”
Tampa Bay Warriors is scheduled for Saturday May 12 at the Tampa Convention Center. It will feature Tampa based Chevelle “Fists of Steel” Hallback in a World Title Bout as the main event with an undercard featuring the hottest prospects Tampa has to offer.
More information on the event and how to get tickets will be announced VERY soon!