When I first started covering Boxing Along The Beltway almost 18 years ago, one of the great areas to see live pro boxing was in Prince George's County. For those unfamiliar with the Washington, DC area, PG County is a relatively affluent, mostly African-American populated Maryland suburb of our Nation's Capital.
During the late 80's through the late 90's, places such as La Fontaine Bleu in New Carrollton, Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt and the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro were hotbeds of action.
That has all but stopped in the new millenium. Since 2000, there have been a grand total of FIVE boxing cards in the county; two in 2000, two in 2003 and one in 2004.
And it is the one card in 2004 that has become the latest controversy. That card also answers the major reason there has been limited action in the county.
The card in 2004 was the one featuring Laila Ali, held at Prince George's Stadium on July 17. The card was an outdoor event that drew close to 9,000 fans in the rain. The card was promoted by Raging Promotions, a firm headed by businessman Marty Wynn and his wife, former multi-time world boxing champion Isra "Raging Beauty" Girgrah. The card was a successful one, bringing many people who have never been to a live boxing card into the mix.
But here is the main reason why we have had limited action in Prince George's County: Most of the promoters don't pay their debts!
Whether those bills are from the management of the buildings where the bouts are being held, or they are bills directly to the Maryland State Athletic Commission, many bills are left unpaid. The popular venues in the county have since closed their doors to boxing because of this situation.
In the case of Raging Promotions, they currently owe the Commission close to $28,000 for the Ali card. The state recently revoked their license, something commission officials told me they haven't had to do in more than 20 years!
I have heard some rumors that promoters are going to try again in the county and I have heard locations such as Bowie State University and Suitland High School as possibilities to house pro boxing. We just have to wait and see. But for now, if you want to see pro boxing in Maryland, Glen Burnie and Woodlawn (near Baltimore) are the places you have to go.
I think that is a good idea to start with amateur shows and work your way up to the pro level.
ReplyDeleteThat is what Jake Smith is doing in Baltimore. But he is fortunate because he has been able to grow his own talent from amateur to pro and highlight those folks in the pro ranks.
I think also that one of the problems is that promoters don't PROMOTE! In other words, they don't know how to get the word out about the shows, so that revenue can be generated and they can pay their bills.
I think Raging Promotions was the exception as far as the job of promoting a card, but they were the rule as far as not paying bills.
I wish you success, Coach, in your endeavors as trainer and promoter.