The Saturday, April 12 boxing card at the Richmond Convention Center has been postponed. Infinity Boxing, the promoters of the card, say that the card was postponed because they are looking for a new venue.
The card was originally scheduled to take place at the Richmond Coliseum, but then was planned for next door at the Convention Center before being postponed altogether. No new date has been announced.
The card was scheduled to feature Beltway Boxers Jaime "The Punisher" Palma, Bayan Jargal, George "War Time" Rivera and Adam "The Real Deal" Seal. The promoters say if you bought a ticket for the event through Ticketmaster, will be refunded.
This will be just one of the topics I will talk about on my Youcastr show tomorrow evening at 10 PM ET. Please join me on www.youcastr.com. There is a live chat section that you can join and give comments and questions as the show goes on.
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So many people said naaaahh clown show won't happen!
Regional Golden Gloves Championship Bouts Announced!
The bouts have been announced for the Washington Golden Gloves Regional Championships which will be held on Friday, April 11 at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Center in Waldorf, MD.
Anyone know what time?
This show had no chance of happening from the first time it was announced. Anybody must be able to get a promoters license in Virginia. That commission is a joke. What a black eye on the sport for the region and what a letdown for all the regional boxers who were expecting to fight.
I have a huge comment to make
on here soon.
Big Daddy Grip
Racheal you tried but you tried to bite off to big of a piece first time out.You did the right thing
by canceling the show because you would of had a heart attack by showtime.I know that right now that
it feels like someone lifted the weight of the world off of your shoulders so remember these feelings both the good and the bad and know that promoting boxing especially professional is much harder than it looks and that you shouldn't try to be the bigshot
before your time.You have potential but pay your dues first.
I had a chance to talk to Rachel the other day and I found a very serious young LADY who has potential as a promoter. I think her biggest problem was trying to do a great promotion with no competent Boxing people around her,she was led down the wrong promotional path and received no help from our Boxing community who could have helped her like Chris Mittendorf would have been a good matchmaker, Wanda Bruce could have been a good site coordinator, Scott Farmer could be good ally along with Joe Hensly because of there Virginia connections, we need folks to work together not for the promoter per se ,but for these local fighters who have no place to be showcased.. She had no Professional Boxing people on her staff, she had no one to guide her in the right direction as a new promoter on the block . I hope she regroups and comes back with some good ,smart Boxing people in her organization.She has good intention and I hope the Boxing public will get behind her and support a sister who is trying give some opportunties to local fighters...J.D. Brown
Hey JD,
Thanks for your comments. I do agree with a lot of what you said, however there were some of the people that you mentioned that were trying to help her. Joe Hensley had one of his fighters, George Rivera on the card. Wanda joined the project late. I was in constant contact with her in the last week.
I do agree that she needs more of the boxing community to get involved because it may be the only way she may be able to work with the Virginia Commission.
Mr. Brown I have the highest respect for you, but really differ in opinion on this one.
VA Boxing community is probably the most interactive of all the Beltway and tight knit and supportive of each other. It is not uncommon to find 2 or more promoters working on the same card or helping each other out from inception to breakdown of the ring.
You can't be a part of something if no one wants you to be. It is absurd to blame other promoters for infinity's trouble. Who led her down the wrong promotional path? Why aren't they accountable?
As far as giving local fighters opportunities, Jamie Palma gave some fights up to be on this card and trained his heart out and and was living and breathing this fight for months. I know stuff happens, but it is the boxer's, the building blocks of the show I feel for in this instance.
I am very disappointed in Infinity. I don't know, could be wrong, but I think if you had anything to do with the card especially from the beginning it would have been a go. It is just lame to blame VA Boxing, along with others for not being there for this promoter.
VA boxing Commission should be held accountable to a degree. You wouldn't let an untrained flyer fly a stealth bomber on their first go out, why would they sanction a novice promoter a fight of this magnitude?
Linda I valuewhat you say here but you are wrong about the VA commission. First of I know that the Commission tried to work with this promoter for many months to put this fight on. Now when you were a novice photographer did anyone stop you from doing what you decided to make a profession. You had to start some kind of way. Nobody told you to take pictures of youth sports and work your way up to adult professional sports. So how do you in America stop a novice promoter from putting on a fight. There are some of the promoters that you talk of that had a tough time during their first matches. If she did not have an experienced boxing person giving her advice then she made a mistake not the commission. Her mistake was allowing it to get to this point before she said it was a no go. I know in talking to people in the Richmond area that they did not know about the fight. You have to advertise big if you don't have a following.
I hear you and that is a good analogy. I was fortunate to know someone who gave me an initial opportunity to at least get images that allowed me to start shooting local boxing and MMA, but my first fight certainly wasn't an ESPN one. I did a lot of reaching out and in return received great support from nearly everyone in the boxing community.
I respect the VA boxing commission and think they overall do an amazing job. I just don't understand how with all the experience they have working with so many promoters and cards they couldn't have seen this train wreck months ago, when the buzz was from day one that it would never take place and save Infinity from itself?
Every commission has a drop dead date. I am sure this is what happened here. The promoter did not have the money to put the fight on. I am sure that in this case the money was going to be made up from ticket sales. If you don't have the money up front then it's a crap shot. That is where sponsors come into play to increase some of that up front money needed. I do know that the VA commission did everything they could to help this promoter but the commission is not in the business of promoting fights. I was at a fight in Danville where the promoter did not have anyone to set the ring up in the correct manner. If there had not been a promoter from out of state to help them get on track then the match would have never happened. It's not the commission's job to set up rings. The ABC helps commissions to work together but there is not a promoter group where as a novice you can get a mentor to help you unless you go to promoter university.
I heard the Promoter canceled the show, not the Commission.
And I don't think the promoter notified the commission first. The commisssion had to tell it's officials that they were not needed after they had cleared their schedule for the fight. Ticketmaster has to give refunds for all tickets purchased. Now the only reason you change to the convention center is because you are not selling tickets and reduced price for the venue. I did not even know the location had changed.
I want to comment on the person that likes to take digs at VA commission. If you want to know how to become a promoter in any state the go look at the statues for that state. If you meet the requirements then you by law are to be issued a promoters license. It does not say that a license is issued to people that they like or trust. No experience needed.
No one is taking digs at the VA Commission.
Just trying to sort out how this could have flopped 2 days before the fight.
Going to read the VA state statute now.
Mr Brown
I had three or four calls into Racheal over the last two months
just to offer my help if she needed it.She never once returned my call.I would have really liked to seen this show get off the ground and racheal do well as a promoter.It would have added a new flavor to the area.Lets hope she didn't get shellshocked from this experience and will learn from it and come back a little wiser next
time around.
Scott Farmer
ITS FUNNY HOW AFTER THE FACT SO MANY PEOPLE COME OUT THE WOOD WORKS TO SHOW THERE TRUE COLORS... SO NOW THE SOAPBOXES ARE BUILT AND VOICES ARE SPEAKING...YOU ALL OFFER WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND WELLWISHES BUT NO NOTHING ABOUT THE INNER WORKINGS OF MY TEAM AND ITS APPARENT LIKE NEVER BEFORE THE TRUE INTENTIONS.
WE WORKED HARD AS HELL FOR MONTHS ON END MEETING SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK TRYING TO BRING SOMETHING OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE CITY OF RICHMOND AS WELL AS GIVE THE BOXING COMMUNITY ANOTHER AVENUE TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENT.
YOU CANT SAY WE FAILED BY ANY MEANS. YEAH THE SHOW WAS POSTPONED BUT WITH ANY SHOW THINGS ARE BOUND TO ARISE SIMPLY OUT OF YOUR CONTROL SO VERSUS PUTTING TOGETHER A HALF-ASS SHOW LIKE WE ENVISIONED WE PUT IT OFF.
NOVICE PROMOTER...MONEY ISSUES...ADVERTISING...
DONT HIDE BEHIND "ANONYMOUS" AND THROW ASSUMPTIONS OUT THERE.
THERE WAS HELP WITHIN THE BOXING COMMUNITY WHO OFFERED TO FIGHT REGARDLESS IF IT WAS IN FRONT OF 14,000 OR 2,000, THEY LOVE THE SPORT AND STOOD BEHIND THE PASSION AND A BLACK MINORITY WOMAN WHO UNDERSTOOD THEIR STORIES.
THE COMISSIONER KNOWS WHY OUR CARD IS PULLED JUST LIKE THE COLISEUM KNOWS WHY...WE CONSTANTLY JUMPED ONE HURDLE AFTER ANOTHER ONLY TO WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY WITH 2 MORE PLACED IN FRONT OF US. MY BOSS IS STRONG AND YOU WONT BREAK IBP !!!
Oh, it's on like neckbone now! Boxing Along The Beltway, time to do a drive by on IBP (Infinity Boxing Promotions)!
I've got some advice for the promoter that canceled the show - shut up and go away! Boxing doesn't need anymore people like you! All of these fighters were training like hell for this weekend and were expecting to fight! They were expecting to be paid and should be paid! You better shut the hell up before somebody sues your broke ass!
I think that is the first time I have seen Infinity post since the show's inception.
Actually there were fewer anonymous' post on this thread than usual, most people signed their name. They signed their name because they respect you as a member of BATB and as a promoter.
I echo Scott in saying stuff happens and hope you rebound to make this a go. As a woman I will say I really wish you would not bring gender into it. A good promoter should be a good promoter whether they are male or female. Yes it's a little harder, but so is the increased support you get as a woman. I can't comment on the black minority part, because I am not black, but do acknowledge there are too few in this area and one of them is one of my very most favorite promoters.
I was disappointed because I really was looking forward to this fight.
You can't cancel a fight 2 days beforehand and not expect people to wonder why and be upset. None of the other promoters get coddled and have to take the good with the bad. It's a huge responsibility to the fans and the fighters. If you are of the same calibre you will rebound better than before.
And stupidazz anon who put the drive by crap go find a pond of gaters to play in if you want to instigate nonsense.
Linda
First and foremost, the negative blogs listed on here truly illustrates the non-supportive, negative, comments and "red tape" that has taken placed when in came to making this event happen. Yet as a strong, professional business woman with excellent knowledge and sufficient finances Rachel continued/and will continue to see this event happen! What is truly amazing are those who knew what Rachel was doing and in the end turn to be the most non-supportive group of everyone. I have worked with IBP for quite some time. They are one of the most professional promotional teams in the area! This team consist of extraordinary group of people with several years of experience in many areas. Most people have the tendacy to listen to negativity versus positivity for example, it's ironic how people claimed they never knew the event was coming to Richmond. However, as soon as there is an issue about the event people want to come to blogs and express their opinions. This shows a lack of passion for Boxing and the people who are trying to bring this event to the area. If everyone on here is for Boxing...let's give Rachel and her team the support it deserves! Be on the lookout for an upcoming event that is already in the works. For the next event, IBP have already received support from not just the local fighters but LEGENDS in the boxing industry!
Mr.Brown & Mr.Williams Thank you for your encouraging words and advice. As a Infinity Boxing Promotions Team Member I thank you and hope that you both come to our event in the near future. By no means is this the end of IBP!
To all negitive jokers and haters we are thankful to you as well because you are doing your best with the limited vision that you posess. Great Job!! Thank You for making the team stronger.
It is amazing how quick people respond to negitivity. There are only a few people that know what it took to get from A-Y for this event. Your finger pointing and untrue thoughts of why things were put on hold are just that your thoughts not fact. If you have been assured that your journey will only take you x amount of miles by a so called seasoned travler, then you reach a bridge that you have to cross to reach your destination that is in sight and the last section of the bridge is out the smart thing to do is go back until you figure a way to cross it without dying in the process. This is a minor set back that will take more time than expected. Rachel is one strong, smart and gifted woman that will be known for her passion and drive in the boxing world.
NOW Linda you have NO IDEA of the circumsatnces to cause this event to be POSTPONED in the 11th hour. Team Infinity is always open to advice and direction from the seasoned boxing community. It is truly amazing how soon your memory fades, I guess issues will do that to you. I am sure that you are disappointed with IBP not because we postponed the event but because you and your people did not get that free ride to the event that you were crying to have come and be a part of on IBP's dollar. We welcome everyone to come and be a part of the event,even you, but don't think because you see money being spent that there is a free ticket for you. As I understand it you have not been in the game that long yourself. SO Stick to the Pics, oh yeah you will be hearing from the team member that you talked to previously..
Gary Digital Williams Thank You. It is great to be able to know what people are saying and thinking first hand.
Wanda Bruce, J.D. Brown, Joe Hensly and the Special folk behind the scenes(you know who you are) that called with the wisdom and encouragment Rachel and Team Infinity Thanks You!
Sigh. After a lengthy conversation just now with Justin I was not expecting this.
If you don't deliver it's on you. It's not on me or the blog or the world. Thank goodness for the blog or I would have been halfway to Richmond to cover your fight. It's funny how it you let nearly 19 comments circulate before you even weighed in.
You know I sent you images months ago for your promotion that you used, I didn't charge you. I was going to pay for a hotel room for 2 days to cover your event and give you images. GIVE. I didn't ask anything from you in return.
But you did send me a 5 page Sponsorship level package, with the last page giving me the ultimate sponsorship if I paid you $2000. I have been a full time photographer since October. I have pulled on my retirement 3 times to keep the roof over my head how the hell am I going to give that?
I don't go to a fight and sit on my ass and drink beer with my buddies and enjoy the show. I take photographs from the time I get there and often spend a few days just processing the photos and posting them. I have invested a lot in my equipment and try to be the best at my craft that I can be. I love boxing. I love photography and I am honest and that often hurts me more to the bone than anyone else, but that is who I am. I show up and I give what I can. I will never ever go to a boxing or MMA event again without buying a ticket. But there are only 3 promoters who will ever get photos from me with out paying MY prices.
So Rachel until your post I felt for you and Justin, but I don't now. I am seeing that perhaps I actually do have more than an idea about you and Team Infinity.
Seasoned? You know I think I am getting there.
Rachel Doherty & IBP will be back. I've never had the pleasure of meeting the rest of the team but I know a winner when I meet one and Rachel is a winner, plain & simple. She has a vision & will iron out whatever went wrong & be back better than before. Remember, this was IBP's FIRST attempt at promoting. They'll find a formula that works. Sure, it's a true disappointment that the fighters trained so hard only to have the fight postponed. It's also a disappointment to the fans who had a great card to look forward to. That said, I believe that all things will be forgiven once they pull off a successful card. The boxing world is truly a "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" environment. Also, if I'm any judge of character, Rachel & the team will give the fighters that should've been on this card (& weren't to hard to deal with) preferential treatment as that is probably what's fair. In summary, too bad about the card, however, I'm sure they'll be back. Let's all continue supporting eachother around here people.
Mike Sawyer
I am big follower of boxing!!! I thought this blog was about the postponed fight? And when the next fight will take place. Here is an example of no support to the boxing world. The lack of attention to the industry even on a blog...go figure. Linda I am pretty sure you are an excellent photographer. I can see you have been a full time photographer since October. It appear you have made great sacrifices to pursue your passion. Which makes me believe you are truly passionate about what you do. Therefore, I would expect you to show a little bit more understanding for those who has a passion as well. Especially for infinity promotions. You don't think they made great sacrifices to pursure this event. It's times like this that reveals a person professionalism. Let's not make this blog about Linda vs. IBP. It's obvious your act of giveness towards IBP wasn't sincere if you bring it up in the blog. Let's focus on getting to the next event. Ending on a positive note, Linda I wish you luck with your photography and Infinity we will be waiting for the next event!
Anon Probably AKA Infinity boxing YOU made it that. Don't try to divert the attention on me.
I am done. No more comments from me.
Racheal humble yourself and leave all that racial bullshit out of it.A promoter is a promoter, now do your job or get to hell out of the busniess.I felt a little sorry for you at first but now you are appearing to be what a number of experienced boxing people said you were. Know this girl! When you put yourself in the position of authority as a promoter you are going to be critisized wether you do a good or bad job. Plain and simple you were inadequate at what you were trying to do or the show would have happened.You didn't have a backup plan.
I'm guessing that you are going to get a number of these type of posts with the stand you are taking on this whole thing.
Again you are going to make a shit load of enemies using the minority
black woman approach. Remember,A promoter is a promoter Nothing more nothing less
Not a racial issue, never was, shouldn't be but Anonymous unless you sign your name, how do we know you are not Rachael/IBP trying to throw another smokescreen for their failure?
And even if you are not Rachael or IBP then even more shame on you.
<< Linda "Great Shot" Siadys said...
I am done. No more comments from me.
Friday, April 11, 2008
>>
FINALLY! Thank you! Just shut up already, da)*it!
Everytime there is a fight, whether canceled, or otherwise, there is always comments about the promoter.
Aren't there any real promoters left in this area? or do we need to bring Don King to town?
Geez! Put on a fight already! How hard can it be?
All you have is your word....especially starting out...boxing is a poor mans sport they train very hard looking to scrap together at minimum a 500 dollar pay day boxers dont care about the color of the promoters skin.....there fighting for the green.
Another Boxers Wife
How hard is it to promote?
I think all the promoters around here will tell you it is definitely NOT EASY!!
HMMMMM ...... Let's see, what does IBP really stand for?
Is it:
Incredibly Bad Promoter
Inability to Bring the People
Ineffective Bullbleep Promotion
I really don't want to beat up on these people but they are making things soooooo badddd by their cocky comments. They need to chill.
And to the boxers, hang in there, don't let it get you down.
I agree with the comments that Infinity needs to chill with the attitude. Let's be real you did not accomplish what you set out to do. You also canceled the the show 2 days before it was to happen. As far as Linda she is learning the business but her heart is there. She is the only person that you will see at almost all fights taking pictures. I have sat next to her at fights and she will ask questions trying to learn the game.
Now being from the Richmond area I talked to many and they knew nothing of the fight card. I looked at your website. When was the last time it was updated? Richmond is a tough sell but when pulled in they are loyal. The late Ray Brown packed them in on a regular basis but everyone knew about his matches. I thought about being a promoter in the Richmond area and know what you have to go through. Things did not work out on my first try and my situation changed so it has been on hold. You might think of sending someone from you team to Promoter University to learn and for assistance.
There is a difference between learning from your mistakes and being too arrogant to take your lumps so you can come back stronger. Also understand your 2nd try will be a lot harder than your 1st. Now not to long ago a promoter had a failed show but he did not come with arrogance but as a humble man asking for forgiveness and promising to do better next time. You should try it some time.
woulda been nice to have received an email notice, or something, from the promoter's camp that this fight was canceled. im just sayin'.
thanks boxingalongthebeltway for sharing the info.
what ever happen, it happen.what did not happen it did not.it over lets get over it and move on.lets talk about the next show or lets talk about are boxers or some thing other than the bash willie taylor
Linda, I do not care what anyone says about you. The truth is, you take great pictures, you never act like you are better than anyone else, all of the amateur kids like you, and to top it off you are beautiful. And I am not just saying this because I have a crush on you...or because I think of you all the time...or because everytime I go to a show, the first thing I do is look to see if you are there...
eeeww!
It is OVER! These people will quietly go away and you will never hear from them again! I wish someone would step forward and get these guys some fights!
First and foremost, I personally, along with IBP would like to also thank all that have been supportive to IBP (You know who you are.) For the rest of you smack talkers, I am befuddled at the behavior and it is definitely a shame that you have nothing else better to do or say, evidentally you must be recieving a pay check for this nonsense. If you're trying to make a name for yourself by crushing another man's vision and passion to bring fresh air and something positive to a community...good luck, look for the same to be returned back to you.....double fold. On another note, Rachel was not the one who expressed the gender and racial concept, and yes, we are one as a team, but, trust me when I say that she is a woman of integrity, strength,passion, drive and humbleness. So, let's not even make these two concepts a factor. It is null and void from this point because it did not come directly from her. In several of our meetings, Rachel talked about going the extra mile for the fighters on this card to make them feel welcomed when they do come to Richmond and everywhere else that IBP decides to hold an event, I believe most promoters just bring them into their cities and do what's neccessary. So, that shows that not only does she have a heart for boxing itself , but for the fighters themselves. So, Gary Williams, I stand with with you when you said this promoting business is not easy!! The person stating that it is, evidentally has not done such a thing. Also, If Rachel were arrogant, she would have responded to these bullcrap blogs a long time ago. Even though we felt the negativity would come with the territory, Rachel does not have time to focus on such foolishness. We are focusing on new dates to supply, staying connected with our fighters and potential ones, regrouping and moving to the next phase to give you guys what you need, which is a good fight! Rachel has been apologetic to the fighters and everyone involved even though this was clearly an executive decision that was out of our reach. I mean really, do you think it makes sense for a promoter or any business owner and their company/team to put so much hard work and effort into their passion and vision while building relationships with the fighters and networking resources for a continuous venture to just pull back FOR NO REASON AT ALL. Clearly, there had to be a sufficient reason. Come on guys, where is the support?!! Remember, you all had to start somewhere and you will eventually end somewhere. Thank you for your negativity,from linda on down. Linda, I'm sure that you are an excellent photographer, other wise IBP would not have considered you in the first place, and even though it sounds as if you wanted to "get to the bottom of this" you are clearly instigating. This is not your fight. You are a photogragher and judging from the comments made, a damn good one at that. Stay in your lane! At least you had enough guts to state your name, though. I do give you that!! To the anon with the website issues...you simply have nothing else to do. The website was and is updated at every eventful change regardless of how small. Everyone else in the negative "anonymous" world...Thank You, WOO HOO for the absurd remarks!! This type of behavior makes IBP push even harder to make the upcoming events an even more successful outcome than originally planned. Final note, I don't have an issue giving my name because I stand for a great, hard working, diligent, and determined team that really have endured the continuous tests. We sincerely apologize to the boxing community, fans and participants for any inconvenience. Let's move forward I speak that IBP will continue to press forward with great success and integrity while giving the fans and boxing community a great show!! People, people, people!!!I mean at least get paid to be negative if you're going to do it:) No, seriously, at least get something out of your negativity before your time to shine" comes... what goes around comes around...law of reciprocity
Rhonda P
Rachel who? Do you have a picture of her?
Rhonda you and Rachel both are just like Cassandra White. You need to find another line of work.
All three of you never seem to tell the truth, all three of you put the blame on someone else. You do not care about the fighters, you only care about making a fast buck. Listen! you failed-ok. Let the real people do it right. Please stop destroying the hopes of these boxers. Furthermore, pay them when they deserve it. Stop looking for away to get over on them. PLEASE!
Before you shoot off your mouth Rhonda I just went to your website. The small change that your fight was canceled is not on there nor is a apology to your fans. So where is the professionalism in that?
No wonder Linda didn't want you bringing gender into it! You idiots lower the bar. Cassaundra really does try and seems to be slowly learning. At least she doesn't get on here sounding like delusional juvenile clueless rejects. You need to spend less time with all the psycho-babble about passion and integrity and accept that you screwed up. Don't you get it? This all reciprocity of YOUR dumbass posing that is hitting you in the face.
Is this Rachel one of the ex-ringcard girls who works for Beau?
Gary
How about another BATB yearend award for best lines like the one of ronda p saying she is befuddled.
LMFAO.
another quote from the infamous ronda p...speakin of crawling out of the woodwrok.
First and foremost, I personally, along with IBP would like to also thank all that have been supportive to IBP (You know who you are.)
what are they in the ibp witless protection program? you called all the naysayers out, why not give your supporters proper credit that they deserve to , or did they pay you not too
Oh come on guys cut it out!
IBP is trying to "bring a breath of fresh air to us" Lord knows the promoters who have been successfully doing this and paying fighters for years could really use this.
Going to show us how to do it with heart. They have passion and you just don't know what they have been through.
We should to be nice to them because they are handicapped by being a double minority TEAM and because they are "going the extra mile for the fighters on this card to make them feel welcomed when they do come to Richmond and everywhere else that IBP decides to hold an event,"
Geeeez. you guys just don't get it. Stop throwing rocks at the poor puppies.
The read here can be like the sunday comics, great stuff. I know my eyes are getting old, I tought the best line "befuddled" was
"be-fondled" I really need to sound out the words better.
you know???
My eyes too must be bad also. I thought surely I must have misread:
If Rachel were intelligent, she would have responded to these bullcrap blogs a long time ago.
but what it really said was If Rachel were arrogant, she would have responded to these bullcrap blogs a long time ago.
Maybe that team member wasn't versed in how to not slip on Freud.
Maybe one of the team members was designated to write for her and just dropped the ball. Maybe it's not our eyes, maybe she can't write or speak for herself.
it would be appreciated if this local April 12 Richmond Card Postponed IBP group could get an IBP organizational chart to us so we can keep up with the chain of bullcrap, I mean command.
From the Infinity Boxing Website:
THE APRIL 12TH "BEST OF BOTH WORLDS"
PROFESSIONAL BOXING/MMA FIGHT HAS BEEN
POSTPONED
Due to a number issues and circumstances out of our control we at Infinity Boxing Promotions have decided to postpone the April 12, 2008 Best of Both Worlds Professional Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Event. We strive to bring the best events possible to the Richmond area and pride ourselves on an exceptional customer experience. We realized that if this event were to happen this week our customer experience would not be at the level we would be comfortable with and that is simply out of the question. We apologize for any inconvenience and confusion this may cause and we look forward to bringing the Central Virginia area professional boxing at its best in the near future.
Rachel Doherty
CEO of Infinity Boxing Promotions
Now of course what this really means is that we're a bunch of broke stank asses who pooled together $10 a piece and got a promoters license and thought we were the diva equivalent of Don King. Then we realized what we got in to and sold about ten tickets to a show in a city that has never been able to draw a crowd for any sporting events. We realized we were going to be on the hook for a whole boatload of money that we just didn't have and were never going to have. We didn't care at all about the boxers who have sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears and were expecting to fight on April 12th. After all, it's all about us, it has nothing to do with them. They're just boxers and we're DIVAS!
Are they running a brothel too? DIVAS? Does that mean hooker? I am country boy and love hookers. How can I get me some of that yum-yum-yum?
Let me try to bring some civility back to this discussion.
Someone alluded to this and I want to reiterate it. What Infinity Boxing did was make the mistake that a lot of young promoters do --they try to make a name for themselves by attempting to put on a big show in a big venue in their first time out.
This is VERY difficult to do and they did take on too much too soon. In this market, we thrive on consistency and all the good promoters along the Beltway have built up their fan base over the years.
IBP also had the added task of trying to promote a card in Richmond, VA which has always been a hard sell for boxing. One poster talked about bringing in Don King to promote -- well even "the World's Greatest Promoter" had a tough time putting on a card in Richmond.
King had a card on February 24, 1996. A card that featured a headline bout of Vincent Pettway challenging now-hall of famer Terry Norris for the WBC and IBF Junior Middleweight titles as well as 10 former world champions (Pettway, T. Norris, Orlin Norris, Oliver McCall, Oleg Maskaev, Tim Austin, Terron Millet, Carl Daniels and William Guthrie) AND the best female boxer in the world at that point -- Christy Martin on the card. They also had heavyweight Sam Hampton -- who had gained notoriety by punching out former Baltimore Oriole Glenn Davis in a bar.
King also lowered the price for a lot of the seats to around 10 dollars. King STILL had to give away a lot of the tickets to local gyms and youth organizations. King has not been back to Richmond since.
IBP had a strike against them going in strictly because they wanted to promote in Richmond. Why is Richmond a tough sell? I don't really know. It may be the age of the population or it may just not be a great sports town. Keep in mind -- one of the institutions in the city -- The Richmond Braves minor league baseball team -- is leaving the city.
IBP compounded the problem by trying to put on such an big show right out of the blocks. To their credit, however, I can say that they had three of the biggest ticket sellers in the state on the show in Jaime Palma, George Rivera and Adam Seal. I talked to Palma personally and he sold 60 tickets for the show and he had fans coming in from many out of town areas. I also have it on good authority that Rivera and Seal sold a lot of tickets too.
That may not have seemed like much in the Richmond Coliseum, but in the smaller Convention Center, that may have ended up being a big-looking crowd.
If I could throw one suggestion at IBP it would be this: Take advantage of what you already have. Virginia boxing is as hot as it has ever been. If you want to reintroduce boxing to the Richmond-area, put on a show that showcases Virginia boxers. With Palma, Rivera, Seal, Andrew Farmer, Todd Wilson, Bayan Jargal, Travis Mallin, Patrick Budd, Stennis Floyd, Andre Nichols and others, you have so much young talent to choose from.And of course, you almost have to have Jimmy Lange there. Nothing personal against Hector Camacho, Jr. and Christy Martin, but they are faded names. Camacho never has really panned out and Martin is not the boxer she was in the late nineties. I'm sure the other promoters in the state would help out. Many already have talked to IBP.
So I hope IBP treats this as a learning experience and is able to move forward.
By the way, I only listed nine world champs. The tenth was Tony Tucker.
One other fact about the Don King card, it was held at the Richmond Coliseum.
Gary to clear some things up for you. The Richmond Braves are leaving because are not getting a new stadium. In Richmond you have to make it worth the effort to come back into the city since you are pulling from the suburbs. As I stated before Ray Brown had a regular card that sold out all the time but he did it in a hotel ballroom. People in Richmond do not expect for matches to be put on in Richmond so you must get the word out. They did true to hit a homerun when they should have tried to hit a single with their first try. Now when I started looking into promoting in Richmond one of the first things I did was to talk with Ray Brown to get some ideas. Now looking at the IBP they look good on paper but they have too many people for a local promoter. My suggestion to them would be to look at the hotel ballrooms and work a deal with them. They would get additional revenue (rooms, meals and drinks) while as a promoter they would have lower expenses. Bottom line in Richmond you must make a attractive package in order for them to spend the money because you can go see the Richmond Braves for $10.
And nobody really went to see the Richmond Braves which is why the city didn't build a new stadium which is why they are moving out of town. And I was at those Ray Brown shows in Richmond which were the most god awful boxing cards I've ever seen! And they were nowhere near a sellout. The place couldnt have held more than 600 anyway and it was always about half full.
What does a brother have to do to get a picture of Rachel on here or at least a link to one? I heard she is as hot as Baby Girl is. Hey, where is Baby girl? Answer: In Richmond looking for her next venue.
Not right to pick on Baby Girl, unless she was one of the unnamed supporters. She has taken her own share of lumps. Leave her out of this.
Listen, these people Infinite Boxing, Baby Girl, and all the rest, deserve every dam thing they get. They all want to be big timeers and ballers but aint got a pot to piss in! When you go into bsiness for yourself you have to have some green to stay onthe scene. How do you expect to stay in business with no money? How can you expect to promote a risky business like boxing with no money? These people are idiots and they deserved everything the get on these blogs! If anybody feels sorry for these people get a dam life! You should feel sorry for the boxers not this group called IBP!
No doubt about it. Many fighters speak with forked tongue just like promotors. How did tghese people get licensed? Blame the commision.
Tell me what exactly did the commission do wrong?
How about determining the financial ability of the promoter to put on the show! How about that one for starters! How do you approve someone for a promoter's license if they don't have any money to put on a show? How about that one Einstein! Is that simple enough for you, you f/n idiot? You're damn right, the VA Commission is to blame and it's going to F it up for all the legit promoters in the state. Plus, it's a huge demoralizing blow to the incredible pool of talent that is in the state right now!
Babygirl shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence with this ship of fools. Unless she is part of their witless protection program, don't do that to her. With all the problems, she at least really tries and has had fights and she doesn't pontificate on her imaginary virtues as a promoter.
It's only a demoralizing blow to IBP. The talent will shine on better without being involved with these posers. This is not even a ruffle on the loosest boxing feather anywhere along the beltway. Sounds like good ol IBP trying to throw some more smack/smokescreen.
Cassandra White is scheduled to appear in court in late May for writing several bad checks to local boxers who fought on her last show. As of yesterday she still has not made good on any.
Not good for boxing!
I don't believe you about CW, but if so, lets wait for her thread then. we don't want to take any thunder away from IBP. This is their moment.
IBP -
Inadequate Banking Pesos
or
Indigent Broke Peons!
WIT' YO BROKE STANK ASS!
Yawn...IBP who?
Not even worth wasting any time on. They have enough hot air for all of us. Time to move on. Let this one rest in peace.
For the person that wants to say that a commission should look into the background of a promoter. You are the F/N idiot because you have confused getting a license as a promoter and gettign a license for a boxing match. Now numbnuts if you did some homework it seems it was the venue that was the problem. Most promoters rely on the ticket sales which I think were lower than they thought and sponsors. They is why it is a business you take in more than you put out. It was stated that they had a valid contract for the orginal location but never secured one for the new location. They could not go to the showplace because thay had a event booked already. Now the promoter backed out of a contract with the venue. How is that the commission's fault. Now you can believe if they promote again in VA they will be held to a higher standard. And as always they had to submit contract and cover the purses with a bond. Read about Christy Martin and you will see that there was a problem with her contract. Now all you had to do to get this information was to google it but in your case it's better to shoot off at the mouth.
Oh and tell everyone how it is going to mess things up for the rest of the promoter?
Mr. Mike Sawyer I heard you say that "Rachel & the team will give the fighters that should've been on this card (& weren't to hard to deal with) preferential treatment as that is probably what's fair."
We boxers are already waiting in the wings would like to know, yes, please define what is tooooo hard of a fighter deal with so when we sign up for their next Megashow in the sky we want their special preferential package. We mostly just pour our heart and soul into the sport and want to fight and rise the best we can and we really welcome the opportunity and will be so grateful to them for going this extra mile for us.
I know you guys are & I believe that Rachel & Assc. (IBP) are of the moral caliber to do just as I suggested. I hope they're back soon & give you same guys a chance to shine.
MS
MS...Glad you have a tie to them and can guarantee us their special preferencial package. Great!. You are just too in-the-loop! Good to know you are in the fighters corner also. You know, we really need someone with earned wings to look up to and look out for us. Who do we see first? you or them? Think I would rather deal with you. Can we rely on you?
Remember this,
when one door closes it always opens another one for you to do something else.
This show was cancelled but there are a couple of shows coming up in Virginia in May.Some new promoter is trying to put a show together on May 10 in Fredricksburg and
Left Hook has a show happening at the sportsplex in Winchester on May 17.The first show I can't guarentee but with their past record I think it's safe to say that the Left Hook show on May 17 will happen for sure.It's possible
that some of those fighters who didn't get to fight at Richmond might be able to get on one of these cards.
To the idiot that said:
Most Promoters rely on ticket sales
You are a, and get real close so that you don't misunderstand what I'm saying, you are a MORONNNNN!
If you put your name on a contract and guarantee someone X number of dollars and you don't have the money, that's dishonest business at the very least. It's also incredibly idiotic and I don't see how you could even sleep at all the month prior to the show. If you go this route when promoting a show, what happens if you sell 100 tickets? Let's see, didn't that exact scenario happen in this region within the last two years? Is it so much to ask that a promoter of a boxing show actually have money? According to your philosophy that would be a novel concept! And if that's the case, you are truly a touched individual. In my mind, the Promoter of the show is the ONLY one who is not guaranteed to make any money on the show. Of course, the Promoter could realize a tremendous financial windfall, but they could also lose a heck of a lot of money as well. That's business! Everyone else on that show, from the fighters, to the announcer, to the DJ, to etc. they should make their money GUARANTEED! And if the Pomoter of the show can't guarantee that, then they shouldn't be promoting the show! And that's prior to selling one single, solitary ticket!
The state in which I promote requires a Promoter's tax returns or audited financial statement as a requirement to issue them a license. Obviously, VA is not one of those states. And who does that hurt ultimately? It hurts the boxers and it hurts every legitimate boxing person involved in the sport today. Isn't it the Commission's job to protect the boxers? Well they didn't protect the guys on this show. I think the blame for this whole f/n fiasco is shared equally by two sources: 1) Rachel Doherty and Infinity Boxing Promotions and 2)The Virginia Boxing Commission.
And to answer your question of how this affects a legitimate promoter. If a legit promoter were to go to the Richmond venue, or to any other venue where other BS artists attempted to put on a show, they are going to view that legit promoter with suspicion because of who they have been exposed to in the past. When they hear the words "Boxing" and/or "Boxing Promoter" they are going to think they are dealing with another slimeball! And it's got to stop! And in my mind, if the government insists on regulating the sport, it's got to start with them! It's got to start with the Commission. The bottom line is that if a Promoter's license were never issued to IBP, then this whole fiasco would have never happened!
I apologize if I misled. I don't speak for IBP. I merely know Rachel Doherty whose company it is. I do have a line of communication with her, however, I only meant to say that I trust them to do the right thing by the fighters scheduled to fight & that I thought it was only fair that they would give you guys first right of refusal. I know (as does everyone else) that you guys are disappointed after all the training (not to mention missing a payday). I'm pretty easy to get into contact with so don't hesitate to get in touch. I know personally what it's like to train & prepare & then not fight. It blows!
MS
Thank you sir. now we boxers' at least know we have an ally. You are straight up a'ight! Why the hell weren't you running all this all along.
IBP -
I'm Broke and Poor!
I guess Linda the photographer won't be covering the next IBP event. Oh wait, there won't ever be an IBP event from now to Infinity! See ya, Sucker!
I don't promote in VA or have any VA fighters under contract, that's why I wasn't part of this show.
Whole thing is just a big black hole.
Fans anticipation and $$ and that adds up to mostly what the contracted boxers brought to the coffers.
Biggest losers in this scenario has to be the boxers who brought so much trust and energy and their family and fans time and money into it.
Done guys. curtains closed. let them be.
All you have is your word....especially starting out...boxing is a poor mans sport they train very hard looking to scrap together at minimum a 500 dollar pay day boxers dont care about the color of the promoters skin.....there fighting for the green.
Another Boxers Wife
If someone can put a picture of Rachel up, I want to see the lady of boxing who is ripping fighters and has Mike The Next Champ of the CVS around the Corner" Sawyer singing her praises.
To the mooronthat wants to blame the commission look at the Statutes. You know for someone like yourself it's the laws of the state. If it is not a law then how can the commission they enforce it without a lawsuit?
Now what state are you from that requires you to show your tax returns. Now you do know that Don King put on his first fight without putting up a dime and it was a championship fight. I guess a big time promoterlike yourself did not have the backers that he did. If you want the government to take over then you need to talk to McCain and ask him why he stopped his effort.
Now tell me what does the commission have to do with a promoter's contract with an arena? Now you are so stupid to think that the fight fans of Richmond will only remember the fight that did not happen but forget about all the ones that have happened? So somebody like you that knows nothing about Richmond, the VA Boxing Commission should shut up and continue to promote where you do because you are not the sharpest tack in the box.
Okay, okay, we'll do it your way. Attention everyone out there who has dreamed of promoting a boxing show. Get a promoter's license even if you don't have the money to pay the boxers. Don't worry about it! You'll make it up on ticket sales (maybe). If you're not selling any tickets and you can't pay anybody, cancel the show a few days before. It won't hurt the sport at all. Thank you for your time.
Now, how ridiculous does that sound? And you're calling me a moron!
BTW, I promote in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I know that Maryland also requires the promoter to have "financial ability" b/c I may be promoting their in the near future (as well as Virginia). Virginia needs to get with it and change the statutes or else the sport is going to implode in VA and it's going to hurt the entire burgeoning scene.
You talk of the way it should be and I was just talking about what is legal in VA. Having the ability and willing to part with your money is two different things. Like I said it appears they had the bond to cover the purse but not the money for the arena after putting up the bond.
Here is a link you to help you get some information. Also if you plan to promote in VA why slam them before you get in the door?
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-04-11-0140.html
In addition to my previous comment, there are commissions that do scrutinize a promoter's contract with an arena. Some commissions are more far reaching than others and I'm not saying they are all the same. However, I think when a commission issues a promoter's license, they need to certify that a promoter is financially viable to at least pay the fighters. Now then, if you think this Richmond situation has to do with a venue problem, you are definitely mistaken. It was a money issue, plain and simple. It's always a money issue in boxing or an excuse like "the sponsors pulled out", etc.
ou never heard me say t was not a money issue. They were going to loose big time. That is why they tried to get a smaller venue instead of the largest in Richmond. You better believe they proved they could pay for the boxers that they had under contract for the match. That's why Christy Martin was no longer on the card. Now having the money in hand and willing to part with that money is another thing. It obvious the cheaper route was to cancel the card instead of losing more by putting it on.
Mark my words, these people will NEVER do another show! Let's put this baby to sleep. Good night now!
that is not nice>
I know what they call it -
Junk in the Trunk!
100 comments
either that is all the comments that this blog will hold or people really are sick of talking about the show that didn't happen
Boxing makes another wanna-be promoter bite the dust...
I guess she found out it's harder than throwing a party.
it's STILL okay to try. after all, isn't that what we're always saying? give it a try.
at least she/they TRIED.
heck i might try it myself.
props to rachel and IBP for TRYING.
Nobody said not to try but you have to be real about it. You don't try to eat the whole pie on your first try. Eat a little and get used to it. I looked at her management team and they are very top heavy. Plus as a new promoter you need to have you hands on everything so that you can learn. She even has two people for security.
Security for what? If that show happened there would have been about 6 people there! She was smart to cancel it, Richmond is not a fight town.
Look at Asim's recent plunge into the promotional cesspool...
He has the resources to put on a big enough show, but he also has the brains and humility to start off small and learn to untangle boxing's knotted up ropes.
Luckily, his recent cancellation cost him only a small bit of embarrassment rather than a small fortune.
Who knows how much IBP lost on upfront expenses trying to put together a blockbuster type show without having any experience.
It's like putting a novice in with a very nasty vet. It's not a business you can exactly apply a corporate template to.
They're not the first suckers to get swallowed up trying to debut with a big show, and certainly not the last.
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