Sports organizations around the world are investigating ways to hold events halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes the UFC, Top Rank, the Premier Boxing Champions and other major MMA and boxing promotions looking to resume their lucrative television and live-streaming deals.
While May seems to be the month targeted for such events to begin taking place, that doesn’t help local combat promoters such as Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing, who count on the revenue from a live gate to produce their bouts.
“Some of the other major sports are talking about doing it without fans, but for us, the fans are an integral part of the game,” DeGuardia told The Post. “We make most of our money to put on these shows from the gate. Even in some of our small television shows, the television fees aren’t sufficient to cover the cost of the show. We generate our dollars from our audience.”
In business since 1992, Star Boxing has held regular shows at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, N.Y. It’s a so-called local show “that doesn’t have the financial backing of a television network or streaming service. Lou DiBella’s “Broadway Boxing” series and DeGuardia’s “Rockin’ Fights” have nurtured and developed some of the metro area’s best talent. But those shows are dependent largely on ticket sales to produce the revenue needed to rent buildings, pay insurance fees, and pay fighters.
“Fights can be put on in a studio, but the reality is we have tons of guys that we take care of that are dependent on the gate,” DeGuardia said. “We’re looking at options and trying to figure out a course of action. But ultimately when it’s all said and done we have to put on events.”
All eyes are now on Las Vegas where Mayor Carolyn Goodman on Wednesday called the shutdown of the city “total insanity.” She asked Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to reopen nonessential businesses in Las Vegas that have been closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Should the state open its casino doors to large crowds, it will be interesting to see if, when and how the Nevada Athletic Commission allows combat sports to resume. That could be a prelude to what might happen in New York.
DeGuardia, who is spending these days at his home in Westchester, said he isn’t optimistic events with a live audience will be allowed anytime soon in New York.
“I don’t know how long it will be until we can put on live events with a crowd,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be as quick as other businesses will be back. We’re not necessarily one of those businesses that can open so quickly.”
Eddie Cotton, a New Jersey native and one of boxing’s most recognizable referees, has died from COVID-19. Cotton, 72, was the third man in the ring for the 2002 heavyweight championship fight between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn.
Cotton had his hands full that night, forcing his way between the two physical fighters to break up multiple clinches, including 12 in the first round alone. Lewis would win by eighth-round knockout and Cotton holding a beaten and bleeding Tyson is one of the night’s most enduring scenes.
Cotton, an avid golfer, traveled the world as a referee but gave much of his time to help the citizens of Paterson, N.J., where he served as a member of the Paterson City Council and director of public works. His wife Ruby is a sitting Council member.