02/07/2011

A New Chapter for Main Events

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Saturday, March 5th will be the start of a new chapter for longtime North Jersey boxing promotional company, Main Events, when the ''Brick City Boxing Series,'' headed by Zab ''Super'' Judah in a spectacular IBF World Junior Welterweight Title fight vs. South Africa's Kaizer Mabuza, opens the Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion in Newark to the public for the first time.

Main Events will be going back to their roots. Beginning in May of 1978 and lasting through April of 1986, the fledgling promotional firm made its name in the boxing business with a series of more than 50 fight cards at Ice World, a little known ice skating rink located less than a mile away from Main Events' current location in Totowa, NJ. By 1980, ESPN had begun broadcasting the ''Fights on Ice'' series. What started out as a local incubator for local boxing talent quickly grew into a nationally known phenomenon. The final show in 1986, featuring Mark Breland in the main event, was broadcast live on ABC.

World champions, including Breland, Rocky Lockridge, Bobby Czyz, Livingstone Bramble, Pinklon Thomas, Buddy McGirt, Tracy Harris Patterson, John John Molina, Robert Hines, Leo Randolph and Vinny Pazienza all made early career appearances at the Totowa rink. Also among the notables who fought there were eventual top contenders Alex Ramos, Chuck Wepner, Mike Quarry, Christy Elliott, Curtis Harris, James ''Hard Rock'' Green, Ramon Ranquello, Hilliard Edmonds, Jr., Francesco Damiani and Scott Frank. Perhaps most notable for the many fights he didn't win, the inimitable boxing legend, Bruce ''The Mouse'' Strauss, also made a couple of memorable appearances.

Still familiar faces on today's local boxing scene, Joe Greer and Lou Esa, also appeared at the Totowa ice rink, where all the fans at ringside were sure to wear warm shoes. How appropriate is it that Esa will be in the ring at Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion on March 5th working with East Hanover prospect Vinny O'Brien in a four-rounder?

In addition to the notables mentioned, above, there were a lot of other performers that will be remembered, if for no other reason, simply for their names: brothers Rusty and Razor Rosenberger, Conrad Tooker, Johnny ''Bang Bang'' Verderosa, Charlie Brown, Richard Nixon, ''Cookie'' James, ''Jake the Snake'' Riley, Nino Gonzalez, Mike ''The Mad Russian'' Tarasewich, C J Bar Brown and everyone's favorite, Prince Nikita Tar Hocker.

Kathy Duva, CEO Main Events, observed, ''I looked through the records of those fights the other day and I was amazed at how many of the names I saw are still part of toda''s boxing scene. Breland, McGirt, Bramble, Joe Grier, Jose Rosario-brother of Diego-an Ice World regular, and Lou Esa have developed into terrific trainers. It is exciting to know that all of them will likely come to Newark to work the corners at the Amerihealth Pavilion from time to time. I also was amazed by the depth of talent featured on some of those cards. There was a fight in July of 1982 where three future world champions--Bobby Czyz, Livingstone Bramble and Pinklon Thomas--all appeared on the same show. Just six weeks later, James ''Buddy'' McGirt made his Ice World debut!''

The Brick City Boxing Series in Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion will highlight local fighters. Main Events will bring 4 - 6 show per year to this intimate venue.

''We're looking forward to bringing Main Events boxing back to the intimacy and excitement of their roots,'' said Jeff Vanderbeek, Chairman and Managing Partner of Devils Arena Entertainment. ''I spent a lot of time at Ice World, and know Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion will create the same ambiance for fans.''

''We plan to replicate the Ice World model in this new space and develop the champions of the future,'' Kathy Duva said. ''On March 5th you will see standouts like Sadam Ali, Vinny O'Brien, Deano Burrell of Brooklyn, Tarvis Simms of CT and from South Korea, lightweight Dong Chul Yun. I have a pretty good feeling that someday you will see one or more of them wearing a world title crown.''

The Judah vs. Mabuza card, promoted by Main Events and Super Judah Promotions, will take place on March 5th at Prudential Center's AmeriHealth Pavilion, Newark, NJ. Doors open at 7:30pm; first fight 8:00pm. Tickets priced at $253 Ringside, $103 Reserved seating on floor, $88 General Admission in Bleachers and $53 GA Standing Room on floor. Tickets available at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com.

Judah vs. Mabuza will be distributed in North American by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay per view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States, as well as Viewer's Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.