This weekend a pair of cards that feature hometown favorites highlight the boxing schedule. In an age where so many fights are staged in stale casino settings, or in the Middle East, it's refreshing to see boxers actually get showcased in front of fans who will actually have a vested interest in the proceedings.
There was a time -- when boxing was much more important in America -- that boxers were built as attractions in their home regions. Ticket sellers were developed, and rivalries created. The business was robust and self-sustaining. But as casinos popped up, and they started to entice promoters with site fees, an erosion started to take place.
And eventually, cities that once hosted boxing regularly, dried up. It's part of the reason why this is now a niche sport in this country. But once in a while, you will see promoters roll up their sleeves and actually do some old fashioned promoting.
On Friday night from 'the Scope Arena' in Norfolk, Virginia, Keyshawn Davis faces Gustavo Lemos as the main event on ESPN+.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
When I think of Norfolk what comes to mind immediately is the late, great Pernell Whitaker. Not only did 'Sweet Pea' hail from this city, but he was no stranger to this venue. He fought here often in front of large throngs of fans as he battled the likes of Roger Mayweather, Jose Luis Ramirez and Poli Diaz, among others, on cards that were broadcast nationally on ABC and HBO.
Whitaker, in essence, became the sports franchise in Norfolk. Top Rank, which has promoted Davis since the beginning of his career hopes that he can become a staple in this region. They had great success with Jared 'Big Baby' Anderson last year in Toledo, Ohio, and chances are that they might one day feature the talented Abdullah Mason (who is on this undercard) in Cleveland, Ohio.
Davis (11-0, 7 KOs) is a talented boxer, who at age 25 has transitioned from being a blue-chip prospect to a rising contender. He's facing a guy in Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) who gave Richardson Hitchins all he could handle in losing a close unanimous decision back in April. Should he take care of him in style, he could be on his way to a title shot at 135. He is currently ranked third by the WBO, IBF and WBC. As usual, these things are usually decided by which fights are the most lucrative, and/or easiest to consummate.
Top Rank
This much is clear, Davis -- whose brothers, Kelvin and Keon, are on the bill -- is already a gate attraction in Norfolk. Word is that ticket sales for this event were brisk from the very beginning, and haven't let up. It will be interesting to see the announced attendance for this venue which has a listed capacity of 11,000.
Then on Saturday from the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the 'Bam and Boots' show takes place on DAZN. Jesse Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs), a boxer who is listed on every pound-for-pound list that has any credibility, defends his WBC super flyweight title versus Pedro Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KOs). Rodriguez is one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport, and is coming off an impressive seventh round stoppage of Juan Francisco Estrada.
Matchroom Boxing
But this card really is about Jaron Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs), the reigning IBF welterweight champion, who back in June drew over 15,000 fans into this same venue against the relatively unknown David Avanesyan. The result of this contest was really never in question. The big story was that Philly, once a noted fight town, would still come out for one of their own. The turnout surpassed the expectations of Matchroom Boxing, and the decision to come back was probably an easy one.
There was a time when 'the City of Brotherly Love' was a hotbed for boxing. They had a deep roster of hard-nosed, tough fighters, and they regularly had large gatherings come out to the Spectrum, and a dedicated group of die-hards that would attend shows at the Blue Horizon. But in the past couple of decades, boxing has become more or less an afterthought.
Matchroom Boxing
But Ennis is a guy who has the talent and ability to make boxing relevant (for at least a couple of nights a year) in this area. Yeah, you could argue that at age 27 that his resume' is lacking, and that perhaps he should seek tougher fights at 154. I can't necessarily disagree with any of that vehemently. The rematch against Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2 ,14 KOs) is akin to making a sequel for 'Showgirls'.
Regardless, expect another big turnout this weekend.
